HC Deb 06 April 1982 vol 21 c273W
Mr. Field

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the availability of application forms for British citizenship.

Mr. Raison

Yes. On 5 March 1982 there were 102,000 forms in stock. This number represents a normal year's issue.

Mr. Field

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the length of time it now takes to process applications for British citizenship, he will consider restoring the right of applicants to pay the registration fee after decision on their application has been made.

Mr. Raison

No. The change in procedure for applications received on or after 1 April 1982, whereby the fee must now be paid with the application but will be refunded if the application is unsuccessful, has enabled the increases in fees to be kept to a lower level than would otherwise he necessary. The new procedure does not apply to applications made before 1 April 1982.

Mr. Field

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many telephone inquiry points in his Department deal with requests from members of the public for application forms for British citizenship; and how many staff in his Department man these posts.

Mr. Raison

The nationality division of the immigration and nationality department has four inquiry points in its telephone inquiry bureau which deal with nationality enquiries generally, including requests for application forms. The four points are normally fully manned from 9 am to 5 pm each working day.