Written question asked by Donald Gorrie (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 19 July 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 26 July 2000. It was answered by Keith Vaz (Labour) on Wednesday, 26 July 2000 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has to reduce the obstacles presented to citizens from the Indian sub-continent wishing to visit their immediate family in the UK.

Answer: Mr. Gorrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to reduce the obstacles presented to citizens from the Indian sub-continent wishing to visit their immediate family in the UK. [132244] Mr. Vaz: The 1999 Immigration and Asylum Act provided for the restoration of appeal rights for people refused visas to visit close family members in the UK. The new appeal right, which will apply to many visitors from the sub-continent, will come into effect from 2 October, and will provide a further, independent review of refusal decisions. We are making every effort to improve the visa service, particularly in the sub-continent. At my request, there was an independent high level review of the Immigration Section in Islamabad last month, which made recommendations for improvements in the service there. We are in the process of implementing those.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 354 c638W; 132244
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Immigration controls Immigration Entry clearances Visas South Asia
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk