(f)

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· 3.-

Government's policy of eliminating discrimination based on sex.

(Paragraphs 39 to 43)

(ii) The acquisition of citizenshin by descent would

normally be limited to the first generation born abroad. At present citizenship may be passed on by Consular registration of births in foreign countries without limit. (Paragraphs 44 to 48)

(iii)

(iv)

The acquisition of citizenship by virtue of marriage would also be on the same basis for men and women. (Paragraphs 50 to 52)

A more restrictive attitude to dual nationality would be adopted than at present. With the possible exception of persons acquiring the nationality of a spouse, those persons who voluntarily acquire another citizenship would automatically lose British Citizenship, and those who apply for British Citizenship would be required to renounce their existing citizenship. (Paragraphs 63 to 67)

If

The permanent arrangements for acquiring British Overseas Citizenship would be less widely drawn so as to link the citizenship to the right of entry to a dependency. The citizenship would not pass automatically to a child born outside a dependency unless the father (or mother only if the child was illegitimate) was a citizen by birth, registration or naturalisation in an existing dependency. There would be some provision to limit statelessness. British Overseas Citizens who had no right of entry in a dependency, were able to pass on their citizenship to their children, there would still be many British Overseas Citizens scattered over the world in 100 years time, who had the right of entry neither in the United Kingdom nor in a dependency. It is clearly desirable to avoid the perpetuation of this aspect of the present situation.

6. You should use the following arguments, as appropriate, to counter anxieties and misunderstandings in explaining the proposals to United Kingdom communities and others:-

(a) Some CUKCS might think, however mistakenly, that rights

regarding settlement in the United Kingdom were being removed or that their chances of successfully applying for settlement were being worsened. Changes in the nationality law would not affect in any way existing rights of immigration into the United Kingdom and any fears on this score are unjustified.

(b)

British Overseas Citizenship might be regarded in some quarters as second-class citizenship, but the proposals do not discriminate against British Overseas Citizens; they merely recognise the status quo and are designed to ensure progress towards a situation in which appropriate rights are gained along with citizenship. Some CUKCs now

/have

CONFIDENTIAL

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