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though
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might
"Some circumstances m.
hr justify exceptions".
eas,
Various citizenship proposals put forward by other organisations of very different complexions have advocated the same thing, and so far as we know there has been no proposal significantly different. Having in mind that the British Nationality Act, 1914, which stopped transmission beyond the first generation, had subsequently to be amended, we decided to stimulate reaction overseas earlier this year by drawing the attention of the trade organisations in this country to the proposed change and by asking posts overseas to draw it to the attention of British communities locally. This produced some
some, through Posts, but more to the Home Office
response, Nif
Most of the representations have come from businessmen's organisations, who naturally think that the children born over- seas of UK expatriate businessmen representing UK firms overseas should be entitled to British citizenship. Their case is already supported within the FCO: this submission is therefore mainly concerned with the nationality of children of other British citizens living overseas. Representations from them have been few. Apart from views from British residents' associations in France and Switzerland there has been only a handful of letters from individuals. Not surprisingly they wish be able to transmit citizenship beyond the first generation, primarily for sentimental reasons, rather than because of problems which would otherwise occur. These views
h
are given in more detail in Annex A.
A.
The Home Office arguments against transmission beyond thầh first generation are primarily based on a fear of an immigration commitment. I accept the arguments that trans- mission of citizenship through the generations indefinitely should not be continued, especially as it will in future be transmissible through the female as well as the male line. However, I think that some of the Home Office arguments against transmission even to the second generation are not wholly rational and to some extent in conflict with what is proposed for the Immigration Rules. Because of keen interest expressed in this subject we have set out in Annex B all the obvious possibilities for transmission to the second generation. In practice I think that all those possibilities which would result in an increased number of British
Compared with thish citizens. overseas with the right of abode in the UK will stand no chance of acceptance however unlikely and imaginoy any immigration danger from
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the case
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