§ Mr. Bidwellasked the secretary of State for the Home Department what was the general waiting time in 1982 for processing applications for naturalisation; and what he anticipates it will be during 1983.
§ Mr. WaddingtonTwenty-three months in 1982. Provided there is no marked increase in the number of applications, there should be a gradual reduction in average waiting time in 1983.
§ Mr. Bidwellasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish monthly figures of applications for naturalisation or citizenship made in 1982 and being made in 1983.
§ Mr. WaddingtonThe information for 1982 is as follows:
452W
Applications received Naturalisation Discretionary registration under section 5A(2) Other registrations. January 920 458 3,927 February 731 519 4,194
Applications received Naturalisation Discretionary registration under section 5A(2) Other registrations. March 908 762 4,735 April 1,080 671 7,582 May 618 521 3,814 June 341 507 2,092 July 389 485 2,953 August 375 617 2,672 September 384 292 3,093 October 553 376 4,919 November 782 285 6,411 December 1,029 230 9,731 TOTAL 8,110 5,723 56,123 It is not the practice to publish citizenship figures on a monthly basis but they can be supplied on request.