Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have overstayed their visa in each of the last three years.
Mr Harper: The requested figures on the number of people who have overstayed their visa in each of the last three years are not held centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Mr Harper [holding answer 16 July 2013]: We continue to look for ways to enhance the visa service to further encourage Chinese tourism and investment to the UK. Since December 2012 we have:
simplified the document requirements for business and tourists
shortened application forms for certain tourists
expanded access to our premium services
produced new guidance in simplified Mandarin
launched a “business network” of staff to support key businesses through the visa application process
launched an improved website
introduced Passport Pass Back, allowing visitors wanting to apply for another visa at the same time to retain their passports launched a VIP Mobile Biometric service for senior executives whereby we go to the applicant’s office to take their biometrics
introduced Prime Time, extended opening hours in six of our applications centres, for those who need the convenience of an appointment outside of usual business hours.
Entry Clearances: Married people
Mr Harper [holding answer 17 July 2013]: The family Immigration Rules allow a British Citizen returning to the UK to rely on a confirmed job offer or signed contract of employment here in sponsoring their spouse’s visa application, where the sponsor can evidence that they have been earning overseas the level of income concerned. We have no current plans to change this requirement.
Mr Harper [holding answer 17 July 2013]: A British Citizen studying overseas who does not have the income or savings required to sponsor their spouse to come to the UK under the family Immigration Rules may return to work in the UK. Once they have been earning the required level of income for six months with the same employer, they may be able to sponsor their spouse to join them here.
Entry Clearances: Overseas Students
Mr Harper The requested figures on the number of people who remain in the UK on expired student visas is not held centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Equality
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the
Home Department how much has been spent by her Department (a) in total and (b) on staff costs on promoting equality and diversity in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and how many people are employed by her Department for this purpose.James Brokenshire: The Home Office spent the sums set out in the following table in discharging its statutory responsibilities as an employer and provider of goods and services under equality legislation. The number of people employed specifically on equality and diversity is 15.
| Total annual spend (£) |
Total annual staff costs (£) | |
| 2012-13 | 901,000 | 674,000 |
| 2011-12 | 1,110,000 | 865,000 |
| 2010-11 | 1,141,000 | 909,000 |
Eurpol
James Brokenshire [holding answer 6 June 2013]:
Home Office Ministers and officials have meetings with
a wide variety of international partners, as well as
organisations and individuals in the public and private
sectors, as part of the process of policy development
and delivery. Details of these meetings, and of overseas
travel, are passed to the Cabinet Office on a quarterly
basis and are subsequently published on the Government.uk
website:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/
attachment_data/file/212353/Home_Office_Ministers_Jan_March_13.pdf
Europol and Eurojust
James Brokenshire: The Government has sought input from law enforcement, the devolved Administrations and other partners of the value to the UK of our membership of Europol and Eurojust as part of its
consideration of which EU police and criminal justice
