HC Deb 10 June 2004 vol 422 cc514-6W
Mr. Goodman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the largest number of new candidates present at a single citizenship ceremony has been. [175376]

Mr. Browne

Citizenship ceremonies are arranged by local authorities in England, Wales and Scotland. Information on the largest number of prospective citizens at those ceremonies so far held is not available. During consultation with local authorities, 10 to 50 applicants was suggested as the normal level of attendance at citizenship ceremonies.

Mr. Goodman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what knowledge of(a) life in the UK and (b) the English language is a pre requisite for receiving citizenship. [175377]

Mr. Browne

When brought into force, Part 1 of The Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 will require naturalisation applicants to demonstrate that they have sufficient understanding of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic and of UK civic structures.

The language requirement already exists in the British Nationality Act 1981, although the standard is not defined. The Government have accepted the recommendations set out in the report of the "Life in the UK" Advisory Group that under new Regulations, "sufficient understanding" will entail applicants demonstrating progress from one English for Speakers of Other Languages entry level to the next.

Development of the citizenship element of programmes, and the means by which this can be assessed, is continuing in line with the further recommendations of the Advisory Group.

Mr. Goodman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what timetable he has set for the rolling out of citizenship ceremonies throughout the UK. 175378]

Mr. Browne

The requirement to attend citizenship ceremonies was introduced for applications made on or after 1 January 2004. The first ceremony was held in Brent on 26 February.

Mr. Goodman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have had an offer of citizenship revoked because of refusal to attend a citizenship ceremony. [175379]

Mr. Browne

To date no applicant has been refused citizenship as a result of refusal to attend a citizenship ceremony.

Mr. Goodman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many citizenship ceremonies have been held to date in(a) town halls, (b) registry offices and (c) other places; and in how many ceremonies, in each case (i) a gift was given, (ii) the local school participated, (iii) a local choir or band performed, (iv) a local hon. Member or other dignitary attended and (v) a national or local emblem was used. [175380]

Mr. Browne

Citizenship ceremonies are arranged by local authorities in England, Wales and Scotland, who are responsible for venues, composition, content, and attendance of guests and dignitaries. An analysis of ceremonies so far held is not available. Local authorities are encouraged to display national and local emblems at all ceremonies.

Mr. Goodman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many private citizenship ceremonies have been held for one candidate or one family. [175381]

Mr. Browne

There is no information available on the number of private ceremonies so far arranged.

Mr. Goodman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many citizenship ceremonies have been held to date; and how many(a) adults and (b) children have been awarded citizenship at these ceremonies, broken down by area. [175382]

Mr. Browne

The number of citizenship ceremonies held to date is not available, and information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The number of adults invited to attend a ceremony up to 30 April is 7,078. The number reported as having attended up to 15 April is 1,906. These figures cannot be broken down by area. Children are not required to attend ceremonies.

Mr. Goodman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have had an application for citizenship turned down because of insufficient knowledge of(a) the English language and (b) life in the United Kingdom. [175392]

Mr. Browne

In 2003, the latest year for which published figures are available, there were 20 applicants refused citizenship for insufficient knowledge of English. In 2003, the "Life in the UK" Advisory Group recommended a new definition of sufficient knowledge of English and an additional criterion of knowledge of life in the UK. The Government broadly welcomed these recommendations but they have not yet been introduced.