HC Deb 14 February 2001 vol 363 cc176-7W
Mr. Lidington

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if it is his policy for a record note to be kept of representations made by Ministers about an individual application for naturalisation; [149579]

(2) if it is his policy that a note recording the interest of (a) a Minister and (b) an hon. Member in an individual application for naturalisation should be placed on the relevant case file. [149573]

Mrs. Roche

[holding answer 8 February 2001]: Correspondence from any source about individual applications for naturalisation would be recorded on the relevant case file or on an associated file.

Mr. Lidington

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department at what level within his Department an application for naturalisation is normally determined. [149578]

Mrs. Roche

[holding answer 8 February 2001]: The level at which naturalisation applications are determined varies according to the nature and complexity of the case. The majority, however, are decided by administrative officer caseworkers.

Mr. Lidington

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria govern whether an application for naturalisation is referred for personal determination by(a) the Secretary of State and (b) a Minister. [149574]

Mrs. Roche

[holding answer 8 February 2001]: Applications are referred to Ministers if they are likely to be controversial or sensitive or if they raise complex issues or questions of security. Whether the Secretary of State will decide an application will depend on the circumstances of the individual case, although he will see referrals where the key issue is one concerning security.