CONFIDENTIAL
signature of the Treaty of Accession defining United Kingdom nationals. It would be our aim when the Government's decisions on the contents of a Bill have been taken, to negotiate acceptance by our European partners of much the same groups as at present as United Kingdom nationals, redefined in accordance with the new legislation. United Kingdom nationals would thus include British Citizens, British subjects without citzenship under Section 2 of the British Nationality Act 1948 with the right of abode, and
Un Gb. British Overseas Citizens with origin in Gibraltar. Other British
My? Overseas Citizens, British subjects not possessing the citizenship
B
of any Commonwealth country and British Citizens from the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man would not be eligible for the uniform passport and should hold passports of the type at present issued to them. (The current declaration defining United Kingdom nationals for Community purposes includes persons from the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, but under Protocol 3 to the Treaty of Accession the right of free movement does not extend to Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies who have ties with the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, unless they also have ties with the United Kingdom or have lived in the United Kingdom for five years.)
6. If the uniform passport is introduced in Britain before a new nationality Act is in force, the European uniform passport should be issued to persons covered by the declaration defining a United Kingdom national for Community purposes. The rest should have the same passports issued to them as at present. The table below shows the types of passport I propose should be issued to the different categories of persons eligible for British passports.
RECOMMENDATION
7. I invite you take note that decisions will be required:-
a. probably later this year on the timing of the
introduction of the European Community uniform passport by the United Kingdom Government, and b. eventually on the types of passport to be issued to various categories of people eligible for British passports.
14 June 1977
Copies:
Mr Hawley
Mr Lee, Home Office.
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CONFIDENTIAL