Hello rjn,
Many thanks for your mail. I made my application in April 2007, before the rule came in regarding the applications having to be made via an agent. Had I known about that at the time I would have employed an agent. I did try phoning them a few times but got absoloutely no where. Each time I was connected to umpteen different departments, having to retell my enquiry each time and eventually I gave up on the grounds of cost and frustration.
Thanks for your interest
Norbert