HC Deb 02 June 1997 vol 295 cc3-4W
Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the language test for naturalisation applications. [1480]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

We have no plans to review the statutory requirement that applicants for naturalisation under section 6(1) of the British Nationality Act 1981 should have sufficient knowledge of the English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic language. There is no language requirement for those applying as the spouse of a British citizen.

In 1996, only 27 applicants out of the 17,670 applications determined were refused citizenship because of their failure to meet this requirement.

There remains a residual discretion for the Secretary of State to waive the need to fulfil the requirement if he considers that because of the applicant's age or physical or mental condition, it would be unreasonable to expect it to be fulfilled.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average time taken to process naturalisation applications. [1479]

Mr. O'Brien

Sixteen months, as at 30 April 1997.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications by persons of independent means have been dealt with by the Immigration and Nationality Department so far in 1997. [1816]

Mr. O'Brien

The information requested is given in the table:

Persons of independent means1 January to April 1997
Number of persons2
Given leave to enter the country 30
After-entry applications for an extension of stay dealt with 3 90
1 The requirement restricting persons of independent means to those who are at least 60 years old was introduced on 1 October 1994, but extant cases were not affected.
2 Figures are provisional.
3 Including persons of independent means seeking an extension of stay in another category or seeking settlement, and other persons seeking an extension of stay as a retired person of independent means.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current waiting time for consideration of applications for each of the divisions of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. [796]

Mr. O'Brien

The available information on waiting times is given in the table.

Average waiting time from receipt of application to decision for applications decided in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate at the end of April 1997:
Months
After entry and Appeals Directorate1 4
Asylum Directorate2
Pre-1993 Act applications 50
Post-1993 Act applications 13
European Directorate1
Residence permits
35 per cent. within 1
62 per cent. within 2
90 per cent. within 6
Residence documents
19 per cent. within 1
35 per cent. within 2
66 per cent. within 6
Nationality Directorate
Naturalisations 16
Independent registrations3 7
1 Data relate to the first quarter of 1997.
2 Data relate to the 6 months October 1996-March 1997.
3 Registration not dependent upon a parent's application for naturalisation.