§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many pickets have been arrested to date in England and Wales in the steel strike.
§ Mr. Whitelaw136 up to 9 February.
§ Mr. Marlowasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how 531W many pickets have been arrested since the steel strike commenced; how many charges have been made and of what kind; and what sentences have been awarded.
§ Mr. Whitelaw136 arrests have been made up to 9 February. The rest of the information requested is not available centrally, and could be obtained only at disproportionate expense.
1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 For naturalisation … … 4,388 3,945 3,889 6,216 5,812 For registration … … … 34,754 30,970 28,502 31,794 42,766
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average waiting period for dealing with applications for (a) registration and (b) naturalisation over the past five years to the latest available date; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RaisonThe average times taken to deal with applications for naturalisation were:
1975 16 months 1976 18 months 1977 19 months 1978 21 months 1979 25 months Applications for registration are of different types, some needing more inquiries and consideration than others. Some can be completed within three or four months but others require considerably longer. The current average time taken to deal with all types of applications for registration is approximately 12 months. Comparable figures for previous years are not available.
The staff of the nationality division is being increased in view of the delays in dealing with applications for naturalisation and registration but the need to contain public expenditure limits what can be done.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of applications for (a) registration and (b) naturalisation outstanding at the latest available date.
§ Mr. RaisonAt the end of December 1979 there were 9,835 applications for