Written question asked by David Evennett (Conservative) on Wednesday, 19 March 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 25 March 2008. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Tuesday, 22 April 2008 on behalf of the Home Office.

Security: Licensing

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many licence applications were not determined by the Security Industry Authority within (a) three months, (b) six months and (c) 12 months in the latest period for which figures are available.

Answer: The SIA is currently making a number of improvements to its handling of applications.The most recent period for which figures from the Security Industry Authority are available is October 2007. During that month approximately 861 applications, representing about 10 per cent. of the total applications decided that month, took the SIA over three months to determine. The reasons for the longer processing times in such cases would have included the need to make further inquiries of the applicant, or await the outcome of additional checks in respect of, for example, any overseas criminality convictions, clarification of qualifications or the right to work in the UK. The SIA does not hold data which shows how many applications were not determined within 6 or 12 months.

Secondary information