To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been granted citizenship at his discretion when they do not meet the other criterion stated in the British Nationality Act 1981, in the last 12 months; and on what grounds. (138874)

There are a number of requirements for naturalisation as a British citizen, some of which are discretionary and some of which are mandatory. Naturalisation is never awarded where one of the mandatory requirements has not been met.