Forced marriage prevention proposals

Dear Sir or Madam,

In the UK Border Agency consultation response entitled 'Marriage
Visas: The Way Forward', published in July 2008, it was proposed
that several changes would be made to law and processes around
forced marriages.

I would be grateful if the following information could be made
available:

1. What is the timetable for introducing agreements for foreign
spouses to learn English and why was no Statement of Intent
published in the autumn of 2008 as stated in the consultation
paper?

2. What changes, if any, were made following the consultation
process for 'investigating allegations for abuse of the marriage
route'? If no such changes have yet been made, what changes are
planned and what is the timetable for their introduction?

3. What changes, if any, were made following the consultation
process to 'ensure information and advice is available to sponsors,
including awareness of the Forced
Marriage Unit'? If no such changes have yet been made, what changes
are planned and what is the timetable for their introduction?

4. It was stated in the consultation response that by September
2008 the Home Office would 'review the evidence required for an
application for indefinite leave to remain on the basis of
marriage'. Please publish the results of the review. If the review
is not completed, please provide a timetable for completion.

5. The consultation response stated that 'a requirement for British
citizens and permanent residents who are seeking to sponsor a
spouse to come to the UK to first declare their intention before
leaving the UK and marrying abroad' would be introduced, along with
compulsory interviews for sponsors in cases deemed appropriate.
What is the timetable for this change and why was no Statement of
Intent published in the autumn of 2008 as stated in the
consultation paper?

6. In the consultation response it was stated that a Code of
Practice and 'clear tests for identifying risks' would be published
by December 2008. Please publish the Code of Practice and the
contents of the 'clear tests' if these have been completed or
provide a timetable for this change.

Yours faithfully,

Colin Yeo.

Dear Freedom Of Information Team ( IND ),

I would be grateful for a substantive response to my FOI request,
which is now overdue.

Yours sincerely,

Colin Yeo

Dear Sir or Madam,

My request is now considerably overdue and I would be grateful for
a response.

Yours faithfully,

Colin Yeo

Dear Freedom Of Information Team ( UKBA ),

My request was made on 26 May 2009. It is now very considerably
overdue and I request that a reply is expedited.

Yours sincerely,

Colin Yeo