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Visas
Lord Rogan asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether different charges are imposed in different countries for the issue of a United Kingdom visa; and, if so, what are those charges. [HL2453]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): All United Kingdom visa application fees fall into the categories set out below. They are standard throughout the world, regardless of the. country in which an application is made.
| Visa type | Fee from 1 April 2007 |
Lord Rogan asked Her Majesty's Government:
In which countries applications for a visa have to be made directly to the Embassy; and in which through a third party. [HL2454]
Lord Malloch-Brown: Visa applications have to be made to a visa application centre operated by one of UKvisas' commercial partners (VFS or WorldBridge Services) in the countries listed below. In all other countries, applications have to be made direct to the appropriate British visa-issuing Mission.
Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Italy, Indonesia, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazhakstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malawi, Malaysia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uganda, Ukraine, Yemen and Zimbabwe.
Visas: Georgia
Lord Campbell-Savours asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many applications made in Tbilisi, Georgia, for visas for entry into the United Kingdom have been refused in the last three years. [HL2455]
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Lord Malloch-Brown: The total number of visa applications refused from our embassy in Tbilisi in each of the last three years is provided below. The total number of visas issued in each year is also shown.
2005—886 refused; 3,293 issued;
2006—720 refused; 3,852 issued; and
2007—871 refused; 4,291 issued.
Lord Campbell-Savours asked Her Majesty's Government:
What was the total gross revenue in sterling from visa applications at the embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia, in each of the last three years; and what proportion of that income has been returned to applicants. [HL2356]
Lord Malloch-Brown: The total revenue in sterling from visa applications received by our embassy in Tbilisi in each of the last three financial years (FY) is as follows:
FY 2007-08 (to date)—£448,907.06.
Data regarding the proportion of the income returned to applicants are not held centrally and it would incur disproportionate cost to collate this information.
Women: Personal Violence
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will consult the Scottish Executive and all relevant voluntary agencies in England and Wales with a view to providing sufficient prevention,
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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): The cross-government action plan on sexual violence and abuse, published in April last year following widespread consultation, set out the Government's strategy for tackling sexual violence and abuse (including prostitution and sexual exploitation) by maximising prevention, improving the criminal justice response and improving access to health and support services. Implementation of the plan is monitored by a stakeholder advisory group on sexual violence and abuse and its membership is primarily voluntary sector organisations from across England and Wales.
The Government's co-ordinated prostitution strategy, which covers prevention and support for developing routes out, was also developed following widespread consultation with stakeholders, including voluntary sector organisations that provide support and services for those involved.
In terms of domestic violence, the independent domestic violence adviser (IDVA) and independent sexual violence adviser roles have been developed in conjunction with the sexual and domestic violence voluntary sectors, and the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) model for protecting vulnerable victims was modelled on the MARAC developed in Cardiff where one of the leading agencies (Cardiff Women's Safety Unit) is a charitable, voluntary sector organisation. The Government's strategy relies on good working partnerships between both statutory and voluntary sector organisations.
In terms of prostitution and violence against women, these are devolved issues for Scotland.
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