Written question asked by Maria Fyfe (Labour) on Thursday, 1 June 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 8 June 2000. It was answered by Jack Straw (Labour) on Thursday, 8 June 2000 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if, in changing the law on visa applications, he is minded to fast-track applications involving (a) weddings, (b) funerals and (c) visiting seriously ill people when in any such case there is a proven close family relationship or other reasonable cause for requesting a short visit. - Inc ref to 350 c210W.

Answer: Mrs. Fyfe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in changing the law on visa applications, he is minded to fast-track applications involving (a) weddings, (b) funerals and (c) visiting seriously ill people when in any such case there is a proven close family relationship or other reasonable cause for requesting a short visit. [124739] Mr. Straw: I assume my hon. Friend is referring to the proposals set out in the consultation paper I announced in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, West (Ms Kelly) on 18 May 2000, Official Report, column 210W. These are concerned solely with Immigration Rule 320(18), which deals with the refusal of entry to those with criminal convictions. Arrangements for processing entry clearance applications differ from post to post, but every effort is made to deal with applications in urgent or compelling compassionate cases as quickly as possible.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 124739; 351 c371-2W
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Applications Immigration Funerals Entry clearances Overseas visitors Weddings
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk