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ral Answers
1226 te the comments made
1227 British Nationality Law
27 APRIL 1977
interviewed, and that the transactions concerned are transactions with connec- tions and interconnections in fields far beyond the obvious limits of local govern- For these reasons they are in- quiries which, on any view, could not be carried out quickly.
ment. hon.
Lest the question raised d learned Gentleman's substitute, the st Stirlingshire (Mr. cast any aspersion on right hon. and learned
that the tradition of ty of the Bench in aspects is as strong when the late Lord I to death his best he played chess, with
ate noo, Willy."? ate: I do not know kmate, but I certainly the hon. and learned ents.
[ OFFICE
Vilson asked the Lord sfer of personnel at o Dundee has been for what purpose. te: There has been Office personnel to The Deputy Crown igating allegations of e, is spending a con- s time in that city. g the police in this their reports, assess- and deciding what is required.
the right hon. and ccept that the trans- own Agent to Dun- indicates his inten- in the matters that ng? However, does years, which I think inquiry has been g time, and that one en on petition for od of 15 months?
The hon. Gentle- e that the inquiries extremely exhaus- d a very considera- ve some indication inquiries by stating witnesses, in the abroad have been
Mr. Alexander Fletcher: If any staff are transferred to Dundee, will the right hon. and learned Gentleman warn them that they will not have the opportunity to vote for the Scottish National Party in the district elections, as that party is not sufficiently interested in the affairs of Dundee to put forward a candidate?
The Lord Advocate: It would not be appropriate for me, as Lord Advocate, to give them any such warning or direction.
BRITISH NATIONALITY LAW
The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Merlyn Rees): With, permission, Mr. Speaker, I wish to make a statement.
A discussion document on possible changes in our nationality law, which I have presented to Parliament, is published today.
Our prosent law on nationality has for long been outmoded and difficult to fol- low. Accordingly, when the present Gov- ernment took ollice my predecessor set up a working party under my hơm. Friend the Member for York (Mr. Lyon), who was then Minister of State, to examine the whole question as we had promised in the Labour Party manifesto of February 1974. The discussion document is based to a large extent on its work.
I emphasise that the document is a set of ideas for discussion. It is not a set of proposals for legislation. The Govern- ment do not intend to introduce early legislation. Nationality law affects all of us and thousands of people living over- seas, so before we embark on change there must be a full oppportunity for people and representative organisations to express their views,
The main suggestion canvassed in the document is that we should have two citizenships--a British citizenship for those with close ties in this country, and a British overseas citizenship for the remainder of those people who are now
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British Nationality Law citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies. British citizens would have an unqualified right of free entry to the United Kingdom, while the right of entry to a dependency would be reserved to those who are British overseas citizens by virtue of a connection with it. The ques- tion of who should obtain which of the
citizenships on the coming into force of the new law is discussed in some detail.
In addition, the document contains, for example, some discussion about the dis- tinction in the treatment of men and women, both in the tranmission of citizen- ship and in the acquisition of it through marriage. It also mentions. possible changes in the requirements for the grant of naturalisation, which have remained largely unchanged for many years.
An important point to keep in mind is that the changes discussed in the docu- ment would not affect anyone's existing right of entry to the United Kingdom. In particular, the obligation which succes- sive Governments have assumed towards holders of United Kingrom passports from East Africa would be maintained, and the special voucher system would continue.
As I have said, the Government do not intend to introduce a Bill in the near future. The purpose of this document is to invite views from hon. Members, pri- vate individuals and representative bodies. We shall want to study very carefully what is put to us, and in that spirit, therefore, I commend the discus- sion document to the attention of the House.
Mr. Whitelaw: Is the right hon. Gen- tleman aware that we welcome this Green Paper as a recognition of our changed overseas relationships and as an oppor- tunity to provide a more rational basis for our immigration policies based on citizenship? Does he appreciate that the present obsecurity of our nationality laws gives rise to widespread fears of unend- ing millions who might claim entry into this country and that this anxiety_must be removed, and removed urgently? Will he, therefore, accept that the Green Paper must be used as a basis for action and not as an excuse for prevarication?
Hon. Members: Hear, hear.
Mr. Rees: On the last point, when the right hon. Gentleman and those who
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