To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to determine the application of Mrs. Zainabu Reed (ref M1037442) for leave to remain in the UK. (135139)

I wrote to the hon. Member on 23 May 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the new Border and Security Agency to clear outstanding (a) exceptional leave to remain and (b) 14-year rule applications. (135335)

Following the IND Review there is an ongoing programme to identify and clear arrears of casework across the whole of the Border and Immigration Agency, including exceptional leave to remain and 14-year rule applications. Resources have been diverted to some areas where backlogs exist in order to improve performance. This work is continuing. Clearance timescales are not yet resolved.