Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether time spent in the UK by a foreign national on a student visa counts towards the qualifying period for naturalisation as a British citizen; and if she will make a statement.

Damian Green MP; Minister of State (Immigration): The position has not changed since my response of 21 July 2010, Official Report, column 445W. Time spent in the United Kingdom on a student visa can count towards the residence requirements for naturalisation if a person meets the statutory requirements on the date of application.

Any change to the requirements for naturalisation would require legislative change. There are no plans to do so at the current time.