APPLICATIONS FOR CITIZENSHIP (Particulars)

Mr Goh Chok Tong asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education how many applications for Singapore citizenship were under consideration as at 1st February, 1977, outstanding for more than three years, and whether steps are being taken to expedite the processing of those applications.

The Minister for Home Affairs and Education (Mr Chua Sian Chin): Mr Speaker, Sir, the number of applications for Singapore citizenship under consideration as as 1st February, 1977 was 25,110. Of this number, some 15,000 or 60% have been outstanding for three years or more. However, some 6,800 of these outstanding applications are, in fact, repeat applications from persons who have applied again after their previous applications had been rejected. Nonetheless, they add to the backlog.

The number of applications received and the number of applications dealt with during the last three years are as follows: Applications Applications Year Received Dealt With Difference 1974 7,897 4,248 3,649 1975 7,144 8,400 1,256 1976 7,706 11,552 3,846

These figures show that in 1974 there was an addition to the backlog of 3,649 applications. However, in 1975 there was a net reduction of the backlog by 1,256 applications. Last year the backlog was reduced by a further 3,846 applications.

Since March 1975 a committee has been meeting weekly to assess applications before submitting them to me for a decision. This has speeded up the process. In addition, my officials are currently reviewing the powers of the Registrar of Citizens with the view to delegating to him more powers to approve applications which are straight-forward and satisfy clearly laid down criteria. However, I must explain that there is a limit to which the processing can be speeded up. This is because many of those whose applications have been rejected re-apply almost immediately. This means that the faster they are rejected the faster they rejoin the so-called backlog.