§ Mr. Tilleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of civil servants working on applications for citizenship; what were the numbers at comparable dates in 1977 and 1978; why there are delays in processing applicants; and what notification of the reasons for delays is given on form N428 issued to applicants.
§ Mr. RaisonAt the end of October 1979 there were 194 staff in the Home Office nationality division; in the same month in 1977 and 1978 the figures were 186 and 190 respectively. Delays in processing applications for citizenship arise mainly because substantial increases in the numbers of applications for citizenship over the last two years have coincided with a period of restraint on Civil Service resources and manpower. The leaflet N428 explains this.
§ Mr. Tilleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average time taken to process applications for citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies; and what was the average time in 1974, 1969 and 1964, respectively.
§ Mr. RaisonApplications for citizenship are of different types, some needing more inquiries and consideration than others. The average length of time is about 15 to 16 months, but some applications take considerably longer, and many of the more straightforward ones are dealt with in six to nine months. Comparable figures for 1974, 1969 and 1964 are not available.
§ Mr. Tilleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he began the practice of returning immediately the passports of applicants for citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies 587W because of the long waiting time in dealing with such applications, and when he expects to end this practice.
§ Mr. Raison30 July 1979. I do not at present foresee an end to this practice; it is designed to cause the minimum of inconvenience to applicants who at times when applications are subject to lengthy delays would otherwise be without their passports.
§ Mr. Tilleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many current applications for citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies have been waiting (a) more than two years, (b) more than one year and (c) more than six months for a decision.
§ Mr. RaisonThis information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. Tilleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies are currently awaiting attention and decision; and what was the figure for the same date in 1978 and 1977.
§ Mr. RaisonAt the end of September 1979 the number of applications for citizenship at varous stages of consideration was 40,075: in the same month in 1977 and 1978 the numbers were 27,207 and 32,076 respectively.