Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Home Secretary on ensuring that refusals and delays to visas for people from African countries do not impede business, cultural academic and political relations between the UK and African countries.

The policy on the issuing and refusal of visas is a Home Office responsibility. However, we maintain regular contact at official and Ministerial level between our Departments to discuss issues that could impede business, cultural, academic and political relations between the UK and Africa. We will continue to work closely to resolve any concerns.