Written Answers
16 JULY 1990 Vol.176
Soviet Union should continue and be successful. We are strongly committed to helping this process by providing the Russians with the skills and expertise needed to take advantage of their country's enormous potential.
We welcome the decisions of the Dublin European Council and the G7 in Houston to commission an analysis of the Soviet Union's economic problems and of ways in which the West might help. This should provide the essential basis on which to take decisions about possible future assistance.
Гилу
UNESCO
Mr. Wells: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what ways and means are being employed by Her Majesty's Government to keep the situtation at the United Nations Educational, Science and Cultural Organisation under review over the next 12 months; what are the terms of reference for the United Kingdom's observer at the United Nations Educational, Science and Cultural Organisation; and if he will make it his policy to report to the House, on a regular basis, the results of this monitoring and the progress made by the United Nations Educational, Science and Cultural Organisation, leading to the further consideration in 1991 of a return by the United Kingdom to membership of the United Nations Educational, Science and Cultural Organisation.
Mr. Sainsbury: The British observer delegation to UNESCO at the British embassy in Paris closely monitors developments at UNESCO. The observer delegation also serves as a channel of communication for those activities of UNESCO in which we still participate. We keep our policy to UNESCO constantly under review in the light of any progress towards reform but do not believe that a specific timetable would be appropriate.
(ECD
Professional Qualifications
Mr. Warren: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made and what issues remain unresolved concerning the acceptance between the United Kingdom and other nations of the European Community of each other's professional qualifications in each other's countries; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Maude: The higher education diplomas directive was adopted in December 1988 for implementation by 4 January 1991. In August 1989 the Commission proposed a further directive for a second general system for the recognition of professional education and training which is intended to complement the first. This proposal remains under discussion.
[MVD
Immigration
Mr. Darling: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the types of applications which entry clearance officers abroad are instructed must be referred to the Home Department; and if he will publish these instructions.
Mr. Sainsbury: Entry clearance officers-ECOS-are required to refer the following categories of application to the Home Office:
(i) applications for asylum;
Written Answers
INH
414
(ii) applicants who do not qualify for entry under the Immigration Rules, but whose applications reveal special circumstances;
(iii) applicants wishing to establish themselves in
business in the United Kingdom;
(iv) applications from children coming for adoption;
(v) applications from certain nationals and individuals. It is not our policy to publish instructions to ECOs.
Mr. Darling: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the maximum, minimum and average periods between the receipt of a first application for settlement at the post in Dhaka and the decision on whether or not to grant entry clearance.
Mr. Sainsbury: In Dhaka, as elsewhere, decisions on whether to grant entry clearance may in some cases be made immediately after interview; in others the applicant may be asked to submit documentary evidence, following which the ECO may have to make further enquiries, either locally or in the United Kingdom. As each case is sui generis, it is not possible to give the average time taken to reach a decision.
MVD
MED
Mr. Darling: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements are in force for dealing with entry clearance applications from Iranian citizens (a) in Iran and (b) outside Iran; and what delays can be expected by people applying for (i) settlement, (ii) visits and (iii) studies.
Mr. Sainsbury: Iranian nationals must apply for entry clearance at one of our visa-issuing posts outside Iran. There are no separate queuing arrangements for settlement, visits of studies in these posts.
Delays experienced by applicants in any of these categories vary from a few days for some posts in Europe to several months for certain posts in the Gulf and near east which attract large numbers of entry clearance applications from Iranian citizens
MV
NTD
Mr. Darling: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for naturalisation as British dependent territories citizens on the basis of a connection with Hong Kong have been (a) received, (b) granted and (c) refused, for each year since 1988 and to the nearest available date.
Mr. Maude: According to Hong Kong Government statistics, the number of applications for naturalisation as British dependent territories citizens, Hong Kong were:
1988
1989
1 1990
No. of applications received
1,016
3,098
3,491
No. of applications approved
1,074
1.098
579
No. of applications rejected
60
73
41
1
Up to end of June.
Mr. Darling: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British dependent territories citizens from Hong Kong have (a) applied for and (b) been granted the status of British National (Overseas).
Mr. Maude: From 1 July 1987 to 30 June 1990, a total of 137,142 applications from Hong Kong British dependent territory citizens for the British national (overseas) passport were received, of which 131,628 were granted. The remaining applications are still being processed.
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