Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many of the Tier 1 (general) visa applications refused under paragraph 322(5) of the immigration rules were refused on the basis of (a) criminality or threats to national security and (b) the applicant's character and conduct meaning that it is undesirable for them to remain in the UK.

Each case is being looked at on its merits and we will consider any compensation where appropriate. We will be contacting the 19 applicants from who we need further information with a view to resolving their cases by the end of December. This timescale will depend on how quickly the further information is provided.

The review considered 1,697 cases which were refused under paragraph 322(5) on grounds relating to their character and conduct. We are not claiming these applicants are a threat to national security.