Citizenship

HC Deb 24 July 1986 vol 102 cc393-4W

Mr. Dubs

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated waiting time for those applying now for (a) registration with entitlement and (b) naturalisation; and for how long those granted citizenship in 1986 in those two categories have been waiting.

Mr. Waddington

The average time taken to deal with these applications for registration from adults, mostly on the basis of entitlement, which were completed in June 1986 was four months, and for naturalisations it was 14 months. This is an improvement on the situation in December 1985 when the comparable figures were seven months and 20 months, respectively. It is not possible to give a reliable forecast of how long it will take to deal with citizenship applications which are now being received.

Mr. Peter Griffiths

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to make available information about the ending of entitlements to registration as British citizens under the British Nationality Act 1981.

Mr. Hurd

The Government have taken opportunities to inform community organisations and others about the provisons for those who have a right to register as British citizens, for which applications have to be made by 31 December 1987. I am today publishing a free information leaflet entitled "Your Right to British Citizenship" which describes as clearly as possible those who have the right to British citizenship under these provisions and answers the principal questions which applicants are likely to ask. The leaflet makes clear that there is no obligation to apply and that people may still apply for naturalisation at any time. The leaflet is today available from the nationality division of the Home Office and is being sent to community relations councils, citizens advice bureaux and other organisations so that they can give them to inquirers. The same bodies will also receive a poster designed to draw people's attention to the leaflet. I am placing copies of the leaflet in the Library. I hope this information will help people who have the right to register as British citizens to decide in good time whether they wish to do so.