Written question asked by Audrey Wise (Labour) on Tuesday, 1 February 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 8 February 2000. It was answered by Keith Vaz (Labour) on Tuesday, 8 February 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, if he will instruct immigration posts in Pakistan to allow applicants for visas to be accompanied at their interviews by a relative or friend.

Answer: Audrey Wise: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will instruct immigration posts in Pakistan to allow applicants for visas to be accompanied at their interviews by a relative or friend. [108690] Mr. Vaz: We recognise that it may be helpful in some cases for visa applicants to be accompanied at interview by a friend or relative. For this reason entry clearance posts have discretion to allow this. But in other cases the presence of a second person at an interview may make it more difficult for entry clearance officers to judge the applicant's intentions, which they are required to do under the Immigration Rules. I therefore believe that the current policy of allowing posts discretion to decide should be retained.

Secondary information