asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what, in normal circumstances, is the time lag in New Delhi between application and interview for entry permits to the United Kingdom; and what criteria are used for deciding special cases for expedited consideration.

Applicants for settlement entry certificates currently have to wait 16 months in New Delhi for the first interview. Special treatment is authorised only if there are unusually strong compassionate grounds and it does not unduly delay others, particularly wives and dependent children, waiting in the queue.