§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many applications have been made by refugees from south-east Asia for naturalisation in each year since Her Majesty's Government's policy of admission for Vietnamee refugees was instituted;
(2) how many applications have been received for naturalisation and how many accepted in each of the last seven years for which figures are available, listed by way of ethnic origin or country of origin or other similar categorisation.
§ Mr. WaddingtonDetails of the previous nationality of those naturalised in each of the last seven years for which figures are available have been published in the following papers:
Year Cmnd. Papers 1978 7637 1979 7998 1980 8325 1981 8627 1982 9009 1983 9331 1984 —* * Home Office Statistical Bulletin 21/85 published 29 August 1985. The other information requested in not available.
§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the criteria and process of
335Wnaturalisation applications by refugees from south-east Asia; if it is invariable practice that all applicants are interviewed; what standard of use of English is required; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaddingtonApplications from those who are refugees are considered like other applications for naturalisation as quickly and as economically as possible and in accordance with the criteria set out in section 6 and schedule 1 to the British Nationality Act 1981. Proper account is taken of the particular circumstances of refugees in exercising discretion under the Act. Not all applicants for naturalisation are interviewed. Applicants for naturalisation other than those applying as the spouses of British citizens are required under paragraph 1(1)(c) of schedule 1 to have sufficient knowledge of the English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic language. The standard is that an applicant should have sufficient knowledge of the language to mix easily in the society in which he lives and to fulfil his duties as a citizen.