§ Mr. Dubsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he proposes to take following Recommendation No. R (84) 21 of the Committee of Ministers to member states of the Council of Europe concerning the acquisition by refugees of the nationality of the host country; and in particular whether he will take steps to (a) reduce the required period of residence and (b) reduce the charges arising out of the procedure for naturalisation as recommended.
§ Mr. WaddingtonWe have explained to the Council of Europe the procedures governing the acquisition of British citizenship. These include, should it be necessary in a particular case, waiving the normal residence requirements where the Home Secretary has a discretion to do so. Ministers have no power to waive the fees for naturalisation in individual cases, and it would be both impractical, and unfair to other applicants, to give special treatment to all applicants who had been granted refugee status at some point in their past.