difficult for a naturalised citizen to exercise his civic
duties for instance to vote or sit on juries, if he does not understand the language of his adopted country. It is difficult indeed for him to be accepted as a sufficiently
integrated member of our society if he cannot communicate
with his fellow citizens. Moreover some knowledge of the language is an indication that the applicant has committed himself to living here and taking part in the life of the community.
60.
Against this however, it is argued that elderly applicants in particular, can find it difficult to meet the language test. They may lead restricted lives, largely amongst their own fellow-countrymen, and the range of civic duties that they could effectively perform would probably be small. They may, nonetheless, be anxious to acquire citizenship, particularly if they are stateless or of uncertain nationality. One solution might be to keep the language test but give the Home Secretary some discretion to waive it in such cases.
An appeals system
61.
As mentioned above, those who are refused citizenship by registration or naturalisation cannot at present appeal against the refusal. Admittedly, a decision to refuse citizenship usually has little immediate impact on the everyday life of the applicant; it does not affect his ability to stay in this country, and he is free, for instance, to own property. But refusal might prevent someone from entering a post, such as those in the Civil Service, which are restricted to those holding certain nationalities. right of appeal could offer some help in such a case.
62. On the other hand it is questionable whether it would be apt to have an appeal system if good character, assessed
A