§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long those issued with certificates of entitlement to the right of abode had to wait for their applications to be processed in(a) January 1988, (b) June 1988, (c) January 1989, (d) June 1989 and (e) January 1990 or the nearest available date; how many cases were awaiting decision in the British overseas citizens and right of abode group at each of the above dates; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter LloydInformation on waiting times and on the numbers of cases outstanding for persons applying in the United Kingdom for a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode is not available for the periods requested. On 21 February 1990, a total of 189 applications were waiting consideration in the United Kingdom; the majority were less than six weeks old and the oldest was dated 13 October 1989. In the case of persons applying to posts abroad for certificates of entitlement to the right of abode, information is available only for the Indian sub-continent. Since 1988, such applicants have been interviewed within three months of applying. Information on the waiting time between interview and the issue of a certificate is not available.
§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications were made for certificates of entitlement to the right of abode; how many certificates were issued; how much money was collected in fees for such applications; how many staff, and at what grades, were in post to deal with the processing of such applications in each quarter since January 1988; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter LloydNo separate record is maintained of the number of applications received from persons in the United Kingdom for certificates of entitlement to the right of abode. The remainder of the information requested is as follows:
Quarter ending Certificates issued1 Fees collected2 (£) 31 March 1988 340 — 30 June 1988 464 — 30 September 1988 419 — 31 December 1988 652 — 31 March 1989 594 3,816.00 30 June 1989 502 5,625.00 30 September 1989 581 6,451.00 31 December 1989 626 6,278.50 1 The figures include new and renewed certificates issued. 2 Fees were introduced on 15 December 1988 in respect of new certificates only. Since January 1988, the processing of certificate applications made in the United Kingdom has required a team of two executive officers, two administrative officers and two administrative assistants.
In addition, in the whole of 1988, a total of 10,200 certificates of entitlement to the right of abode in the United Kingdom including confirmations of the right of abode, were issued to persons applying at posts abroad. The other information requested is not available centrally for such cases.