To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what regulations under subsection (1) (ba) or (bb) of the British Nationality Act 1981 have been published since the passing of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002; and if he will place copies in the Library. [115216]

The subsections of the British Nationality Act referred to in the question relate to the standard of English and knowledge about life in the UK to be attained by those applying for naturalisation.My right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary appointed the "Life in the UK" Advisory Group chaired by Professor Sir Bernard Crick, to look at the content, conduct and implementation of programmes of study for potential citizens. It is expected to publish its final report shortly.Once the recommendations in the report have been considered the regulations will be drafted and published.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have become (a) registered and (b) naturalised as British citizens since the passing of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. [115217]

The latest available figures for registration and naturalisation as a British Citizen are for 2001, published in the Home Office statistical Bulletin "Persons Granted British Citizenship, United Kingdom, 2001". A copy has been placed in the Library.Figures for 2002 will be published in the next Bulletin, due in August 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been deprived of citizenship under the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. [115218]

The provisions of the Act came into force on 1 April 2003. There are now two possible grounds for deprivation: that the individual obtained the citizenship by deception or (provided he or she would not be left stateless) that the person has done something seriously prejucicial to the vital interests of the United Kingdom or of a British overseas territory. Notice of a decision to make a deprivation order has been made in one case.