§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many persons have been granted British citizenship through (a) naturalisation and (b) registration in each of the past three years;
(2) if he will publish in the Official Report the countries of origin of persons who have received British citizenship in each of the past three years through naturalisation and registration, respectively.
§ Mr. Raison:The number of applications for citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies granted in the United Kingdom in the past three years is as follows:
Naturalisation Registration 1979 2,020 22,566 1980 4,305 23,231 1981 6,044 42,549 Further information, including information about the previous nationality of persons acquiring citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies, is given in the published "Tables of Persons acquiring citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies" for 1979 (Cmnd. 7998), 1980 (Cmnd. 8325) and 1981 (Cmnd. 8627) of which copies are in the Library.
It will only become possible to grant the new status of British citizenship when the British Nationality Act 1981 comes into force on 1 January 1983.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the latest waiting period for persons applying for (a) naturalisation and (b) registration as British citizens.
§ Mr. Raison:It is estimated that the current average waiting time is 24 months for an application for naturalisation, 23, months for an application for registration at discretion, and 11 months for an application for registration as an entitlement.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of persons who have applied for citizenship through (a) naturalisation and (b) registration at the latest date for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Raison:The numbers of persons who have applied for citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies in each of the years 1979–1982 is as follows:
Number of applications received Naturalisation Registration 1979 5,812 42,766 1980 7,033 43,459 1981 9,714 60,378 1982 (—30 September) 5,746 39,894