§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for British nationality he has received during the year 1987; how many of these his Department has commenced processing; and how many remain (a) unacknowledged, and (b) unprocessed.
§ Mr. RentonThe information is not readily available in the form requested.
In 1987 we estimate that about 290,000 citizenship applications were received of which all but 33,000 had been acknowledged by 11 April. Provisional figures for 1987 indicate that grants of citizenship were made to 64,800 applicants.
§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for British nationality he has received since 1 January 1988; how many of these his Department has commenced processing; and how many remain(a) unacknowledged, and (b) unprocessed.
§ Mr. RentonWe estimate that we have received about 12,000 citizenship applications since 1 January 1988. Applications are acknowledged and processed broadly in order to receipt. Only a few applications received by post in 1988 have yet been acknowledged since priority has been given to acknowledging those received in 1987.
§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many passports he estimates are at present held at Lunar house, received from applicants for British nationality; and what is the minimum, the maximum and the average time during which such passports are held.
§ Mr. RentonIt is not possible to say exactly how many passports are contained within the 45,000 citizenship applications currently awaiting opening and acknowledgement at Lunar house.
§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for British nationality he estimates have been lost during the past six months; and what steps are being taken in order to find the same.
§ Mr. RentonThere is no reason to suppose that any applications have been lost.