Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to expedite visa applications in cases involving Afghan nationals (a) whose family reunion visa applications have not been responded to within her Department's 60-day service standard, (b) who have provided medical evidence that they are suffering from (i) suicidal inclination and (ii) other mental ill-health and (c) where a family member referred to in the application is at risk of deportation to Afghanistan from (A) Pakistan and (B) another third country; if she will hold discussions with the hon. Member for Brighton Pavilion on a family reunion case of an Afghan national; and if she will make a statement.

The Government’s refugee family reunion policy provides a safe and legal route to bring families together.

We are committed to improving and speeding up processing times for family reunion applications. We are reviewing processes to streamline decision making.

We prioritise all applications where the application has been made by an unaccompanied child under the age of 18. We will also prioritise applications where there is an evidenced urgent or compelling reason.

I would be happy to look into this case for you if the Hon. Member provides detail in writing.