§ Mr. S. C. Silkinasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken or intends to take to increase the number of staff dealing with applications for registration as a British subject in the light of the provisions of the British Nationality Bill.
§ Mr. RaisonThe explanatory and financial memorandum to the Bill refers to the provision of 45 extra staff; but the number of applications to be dealt with cannot be predicted and the need to contain public expenditure restricts the number of additional staff that can be made available.
§ Mr. S. C. Silkinasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of applications received in each of the past 24 months for (a) registration as a British subject as of right and (b) registration under the discretionary power; and what is the number of staff dealing with such applications during each of those months.
§ Mr. RaisonThe table below shows the total number of applications for registration as a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies received in each of the past 24 months and the number of staff in post in the nationality division at the beginning of each of those months. In addition to applications for registration the staff deal also with applications for naturalisation and nationality inquiries. It is not possible to break down the figures for applications for registration in the way requested.
Applications for registration received:
193W
Applications received during month Staff in post at beginning of month 1979 February 2,279 183 March 3,837 185 April 3,173 185
Applications received during month Staff in post at beginning of month 1979 May 3,616 187 June 4,330 187 July 4,364 186 August 4,083 193 September 4,442 199 October 4,043 195 November 3,882 194 December 2,965 190 1980 January 3,936 190 February 3,885 195 March 4,272 195 April 3,999 202 May 3,143 208 June 3,229 213 July 3,522 218 August 2,656 227 September 3,428 227 October 4,127 224 November 3,621 225 December 3,641 219 1981 January 5,391 216