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Two new citizenships
The Possible Changes
In paragraphs 13-16 it is suggested that the present citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies might be replaced by two citizenships
a British Citizenship for those who have close ties with this country, and a British Overseas Citizenship which would be held by the remainder of those persons who are now citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies.
People who would become British Citizens
It is suggested that British Citizenship should be conferred, in general, on those citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies who were born, naturalised or registered here (or in the Channel Islands or Isle of Man); on those who hold that citizenship by descent and have the right of entry; and on those citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies and British Protected Persons from dependencies or former dependencies (including those from East Africa) and British Subjects without Citizenship, who have settled in this country for a specified period (paragraphs 19-26).
It would be the intention that British Citizens and only British Citizens - should have an unqualified right of free entry to the United Kingdom; but there are some people who now have such a right who would not become British Citizens under these proposals, and there might be a case for allowing them to retain this right for their lifetimes (paragraphs 27-23).
Movement within the European Community
The present definition of 'United Kingdom national' for European. Community purposes would need to be redrawn, in consultation with our partners in the Community, so that in general all British Citizens would have the same freedom of movement within the territory of the Community (paragraph 30).
Transmission to children born abroad
It is suggested that women, as well as men, should be able to transmit their citizenship to their children born abroad, but that trans- mission should be generally confined to the first generation so born (paragraphs 38 -46).
Acquisition by virtue of marriage
Under the present nationality law of the United Kingdom, a woman who marries a man from this country has the right to acquire her husband's citizenship. But a man from overseas who marries a woman from this country has no such right. The document discusses whether the law for acquiring citizenship by vi: tuc of marriage should be altered to treat both sexes equally. It makes some reference to the laws of other countries in this field (paragraphs 43 -5).
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