CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT
1. At the meeting of the Home Affairs Committee on 31 July considerable concern
was expressed about the effect and acceptability of the restrictions on the
acquisition of citizenship by descent as proposed in the Home Secretary's paper (H(79)44); on the other hand, it was strongly contended that any concessions in
this area would undermine the basis of the proposals in the memorandum by breaking
in effect the link between citizenship and an established and direct commitment to
this country. It was agreed that the Home Office should consider the question
further, bearing in mind the political aspects and consulting the Law Officers as
appropriate.
Crown Service etc
2. The position of people in Crown Service was also discussed. While welcoming
the concessions proposed, some members of the Committee thought that they should
be extended to people working for closely allied bodies such as the British
Council, international organisations of which the United Kingdom is a member,
ancillary bodies connected with the Armed Forces and so on. It is thought that
these matters can be dealt with adequately by careful drafting, and the proposals
will be discussed with the Departments concerned. It must be borne in mind,
however, that the more generously the provisions for Crown Service are extended,
the more pressure there is likely to be from business men, self-employed persons
and others for similar treatment for their descendants.
Scope of this Paper
3. The remainder of this paper deals with the descendants of people who live
overseas and are employed by business etc firms or are self-employed.
Some will
be on short contracts overseas, while others are of families which have a long
tradition of service overseas, or who serve with firms with a "father and son"
tradition of staffing.
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