§ Keith VazTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the backlog of hon. Members' correspondence at the IND is; what the target date is which he has set to clear the backlog at the IND; what discussions he has had with posts overseas concerning the processing of applicants for citizenship by British Overseas Citizens; how many persons are awaiting decisions on citizenship applications; and how many passports were lost by IND in 2002. [76098]
§ Beverley HughesThe total number of outstanding cases in the backlog of MPs correspondence at the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) as of 30 September was 1,808, of which 361 await ministerial reply and 1,447 official reply. We aim to reduce the backlog to frictional levels by the end of this year and are on course to do so.
The Department published figures in June 2002 relating to the voluntary acquisition of British citizenship. In 2001 IND received 109,005 citizenship applications and made decisions on 90,295 applications. There are no available figures relating to the current number of applications awaiting a decision. There have been no substantive discussions so far with our overseas 622W diplomatic missions about the processing of applications from British Overseas citizens etc. We and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are preparing the guidance needed by posts and applicants before the amendment in the Nationality and Immigration Asylum (NIA) Bill comes into force.
With regard to the last part of the question, the Immigration and Nationality Directorate issue letters to members of the public where a passport cannot be immediately traced. As at 11 October 2002 a total of 265 such letters had been issued.