§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish that part of the letter written by an official of his Department to the hon. Member for Bradford, West on 25 August 1988, concerning the application of Mrs. Jan Begum, Ref: H197247/4, for British citizenship, that relates to the timing of the decision on her application; and when he intends to let Mrs. Begum know whether she has been granted British citizenship.
§ Mr. Peter LloydIt is not the normal practice to publish correspondence with individual applicants. However, I can confirm that the letter of 25 August 1988 recorded progress, and our expectation that it would not take long to reach a decision. The facts of the case were not entirely straightforward, and action was delayed for a time while the fee was awaited. Some further delay was caused because action on the case was overlooked, and I am sorry that that happened. But the application was approved in August 1989 and the applicant was invited to take the oath of allegiance. As soon as she has done so, the certificate can be issued.