§ Mr. Cyril Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for British citizenship have been received under the Pakistan Act; how many of these have already been dealt with; what is the average time taken to deal with such applications; and whether the procedure can be speeded up.
§ Mr. LaneThe number of applications received since the Pakistan Act came into force on 1st September is about 46,000. The Department is still dealing with applications from citizens of Pakistan received before that date under the law as it then stood. Since 1st September about 6,300 grants of registration have been completed. It is not possible to give an average time for dealing with applications: they are dealt with as promptly as is consistent with careful scrutiny, and within the capabilities of the number of staff available for this work.