Written question asked by Kali Mountford (Labour) on Thursday, 22 March 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 27 March 2001. It was answered by Keith Vaz (Labour) on Tuesday, 27 March 2001 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 steps the Government will take to reform and update the entry clearance service. - Including figure. (Printed in Bound Volume on 23.03.2001 at c421W).

Answer: Kali Mountford: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government will take to reform and update the entry clearance service. [155727] Mr. Vaz: The Government will invest £7.2 million from the Capital Modernisation fund over the next three years in improved technology for the entry clearance (visa) service. This will help deliver a fairer, faster and firmer service, with benefits for visa applicants and for their sponsors in the UK. It will also contribute to the Prime Minister's target of enabling all public services to be delivered electronically by 2005.

Secondary information