To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Filipino and Thai women who have married British citizens are at present waiting for the necessary visas to join their husbands; and what is the average length of time they have to wait before receiving the visa.

I have been asked to reply.A total of 27 Filipino and 98 Thai women married to British citizens are waiting for the necessary visas to join their husbands. The current waiting time for interview is nine weeks in Manila and eight weeks in Bangkok. Successful applicants normally receive their visas on the day of interview.