§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What was the average length of time for which a person granted citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies in March, June, September and December 1981 and March 1982 respectively had waited since the date of his or her application, distinguishing between those naturalised and registered, and among those registered between those with and without entitlement; how many applications for citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies were made, and how many granted in 1981; and what was the number of Home Office staff engaged in processing these applications on 30th June and 31st December 1981 respectively.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Elton)The average waiting times for an applicant for citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies are as follows:
Naturalisation months Registration (discretionary) months Registration (entitlement) months March 1981 24 26 13 June 1981 20 27 12 September 1981 21 28 10 December 1981 23 27 10 March 1982 24 28 10 In 1981, 60,378 applications for registration and 9,714 applications for naturalisation were received. 42,556 persons, including minors, were registered as citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies and 6,432 adults were granted naturalisation. The number of staff in post in the Nationality Division in 30th June and 31st December 1981 was 231 and 221 respectively.