Written question asked by Simon Hughes (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 11 April 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 29 April 2003. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Tuesday, 29 April 2003 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which month's post is being opened by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate with regard to visa applications. - Inc figures.

Answer: Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which month's post is being opened by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate with regard to visa applications. [109507] Mr. Rammell: Correspondence relating to visa applications is normally handled by the Correspondence Section of UKvisas. UKvisas consistently opens mail as soon as it is received with the aim of processing all correspondence within the Cabinet Office deadlines of 15 days for letters from Members of Parliament and 20 days for other letters. In 2002, UKvisas responded to 17,566 letters from MPs, Members of the Public and others: 99.37 per cent. of these correspondents were sent replies within these target times.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 109507; 404 c327W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Applications Administrative delays Correspondence Entry clearances Visas UK Visas
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk