R.
CONFIDENTIAL
Nationality Bill
1.
Both the main political parties are committed to a thorough-going reform of the nationality law, and the Queen's Speech announced the Government's intention of introducing a Nationality Bill. It is common ground between the parties that the existing Citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies should be divided up; that there should be a citizenship which carries with it the right of abode in the United Kingdom; that this citizenship should be called British Citizenship; and that those Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies who are not given British Citizenship must be given another status. It must be assumed that any Nationality Bill will be drafted in accordance with these principles.
2. It is inherent in these principles that those Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies who do not become British Citizens will be given a status which makes it plain that their connection with the United Kingdom is less close than that of British Citizens. Indeed, it is one of the declared aims of both parties that the citizenships to be established by the Nationality Bill (taken with the consequential changes that will be necessary in the Immigration Act) will distinguish those who have the right of abode in the United Kingdom (i.c. Britis!: Citizens) from those who do not. The inclusion of "United Kingdom" in the present omnibus title of "Citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies" encourages 'other countries, and international courts which consider immigration cases, to regard all CUKCs as returnable to the United Kingdom (which they are not under present United Kingdom immigration law) and both parties wish to change
this situation.
3. The question currently at issue is whether all those CURCs who do not becous Pritish Citizens should be given the same citizenship or whether they should be divided between two citizenships. They must be given a title which accurately reflects their status and is not misleading; this is necessary in order to comply with the fu.denental principles on which statutes are drafted. In the view of the Home Office, the title "Citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies" cannot be preserved: the abolition of this title is one of the principal aims of the new legislation. We cannot use the status of British subject in this context: it is archaic and Lisleading. Nor will "British Citizen of Hong Kong" OF Chish Citizen of Gibraltar" do: these people will not be British Citizens
and we rust not use a title which. izzlies that they are. If there is to be one
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CONFIDENTIAL
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