§ Mr. Tebbitasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, pursuant to his reply of 15th November concerning applications for naturalisation, the differences between the total numbers of applications received in each year and the sum of those granted and those refused, comprised those still pending, or withdrawn or other categories.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe process of naturalisation has always been a lengthy one and is now taking on average about 19 months. Consequently, many of the applications granted or refused in any one year will have been received in previous years; and the number of applications granted and refused in any one year thus bears little relation to the number received in that year.
Some applications are withdrawn, as the hon. Member suggests, and consideration of others is postponed.