HC Deb 10 December 1973 vol 866 c24W
Mr. Powell

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why form RIA (application for registration as a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies) invites applicants to describe their knowledge of English or Welsh as fair, good or excellent; and whether he will revise this form so as to make it clear that registration demands the minimum standard described in note F of Insruction A1.

Mr. Lane

The knowledge required is the same for registration as for naturalisation, as is made clear by Note E of Leaflet R1A. The adequacy of an applicant's knowledge of the language is judged on the basis of an interview. The question in form R1A to which my right hon. Friend refers has been found to serve no useful purpose and will not be included in future reprints of the form.