HC Deb 31 July 1947 vol 441 cc615-6
22. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the present number of applications for naturalisation awaiting consideration; the total number of successful and unsuccessful applications during the past two years; and the average time that must elapse before applications are considered and a decision given.

Mr. Ede

From the resumption of naturalisation on 1st January, 1946, to 30th June, 1947, 13,415 Certificates of Naturalisation were issued. Only 160 applications were refused. My Department is now able to deal with about 1,600 applications a month. There were, on 30th June last, 23,070 applications outstanding, and at the present rate of progress I hope that all outstanding applications originating in the provinces will be disposed of early in 1948. As regards the Metropolitan area, however, where the majority of applicants live, a much longer time must elapse, because the number of police officers available for the necessary inquiries is limited.