Question regarding naturalisation

[cybertyger]

1. I have been in the UK since Mar 2004 ( on Workpermit for 2 years , HSMP for 3 years and finally Tier 1 till nov 2009 ) My ILR along with those for my wife and son were issued on 30th Nov 2009 .
Is 30th Nov 2010 the earliest I can put in an application for Naturalisation ?

2. My Wife came to the UK as a dependent on my work permit in Jun 2004 and has been on dependent visas since then. In 2008 , she moved to France on a Student visa for post graduate studies . As she was not able to be in the UK when I renewed my HSMP to Tier 1( in Jul 2008) , she had to reapply for a dependent visa from France in August 2008 . Would the fact that she had a break in her stay/ visa and that she had to reapply from France have any impact on when she can apply for naturalisation? Can we apply for naturalisation together ?

Looking at the requirements on the UK BA site - this is how it looks like for her

been resident in the UK for at least five years (this is known as the residential qualifying period); and been present in the UK five years before the date of your application; ( This is what confuses me - Is this 5 years continuous stay i.e on a continuous visa ?)
and not spent more than 450 days outside the UK during the five-year period (She is within the 450 day limit) ; and
not spent more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months of the five-year period ( She is within the 90 day limit ) ; and
not been in breach of the Immigration Rules at any stage during the five-year period. ( no breaches)

Appreciate your response

[vinny]

( This is what confuses me - Is this 5 years continuous stay i.e on a continuous visa ?)

She does not have to be on a continuous visa, as long as her stay in the UK was legal.