§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has considered the recommendations of the Speaker's Commission on citizenship; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanThe recommendations of the 1990 report of the Commission on Citizenship have been considered in the Home Office.
The Government regard citizenship in its widest sense as an issue of fundamental importance and take every opportunity to encourage individuals and companies alike to be aware of, and act on, their responsibilities in the community. The wide-ranging report made a contribution to the discussion of these issues.
The report's recommendations covered many departmental interests and those falling within the Home Office's remit have been borne in mind in the course of its work.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for The Home Department how many applications have been made in each year since 1985 for registration as British nationals (overseas); and how many have been(a) granted, (b) refused and (c) are still pending.
§ Mr. Charles WardleHong Kong British Dependent Territories citizens are entitled to BN(0) status and no applications have been refused. BN(0) registrations first took place in 1987. Applications received and registered since then are as follows:
Applications Year Received Registered 11987 18,366 16,275 1988 31,916 30,222 1989 53,222 49,519 1990 80,213 78,265 1991 101,534 107,423 1992 156,511 149,302 21993 72,713 66,294 Total 514,475 497,300 1 (from July). 2 (to April). The number of applications outstanding at end April 1993 was 17,175.