David Lidington (- Shadow Minister, Foreign Affairs; Aylesbury, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the reasons are for the time taken by the UK Border Agency to process applications by European nationals for permanent residence.

Phil Woolas (Minister of State (the North West), Home Office; Oldham East & Saddleworth, Labour)

The length of time taken by UK Border Agency to determine applications submitted by European nationals for permanent residence is subject to a number of factors—both internal and external to the Agency. Internally UK Border Agency has had to refocus resource and this has impacted on the Agency's ability to deal with applications as quickly as we would wish. Externally, the number of incomplete applications received has led to delays in the caseworking process.

On both counts, we have introduced a number of measures in the past six months to improve performance. The Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006 stipulate this documentation should be issued as soon as possible after an application and proof of entitlement have been submitted. If an application is not submitted with adequate supporting evidence then delays are necessarily incurred as that information is obtained.