CONFIDENTIAL
A.
INTRODUCTION
1. This White Paper on the law of nationality appears just over 3 years after the publication by the previous Government in April 1977 of a consultative document (a Green Paper) entitled 'British Nationality Law: Discussion of Possible Changes' (Cmnd 6795). In that document the Government invited comment on a number of ideas for changing the law, which in the main is to be found in the British Nationality Act of 1948.
2. The present Government have studied the comments received both before and since they took office. In all, more than 400 contributions have been received, both from individuals and from representative bodies. Many of the representative bodies have been those concerned with immigrants already in this country. There have been relatively few comments from people connected with the United Kingdom for generations, save in the matter of passing on citizenship to children born overseas. A summary of the principal comments made in the correspondence will be found at Appendix A.
3.
The present Government agree with many of the ideas that were put forward in the Green Paper, and they have taken account of the views put forward by correspondents and others. As is generally recognised, the subject is a complex one; work on the preparation of a Bill is in progress, but it will take some time to complete, and it may well throw up further points for consideration. The Government have decided however to publish in this White Paper an outline of their ideas on the shape of the new nationality law.
4. The present Act has been in force for over 31 years, during which there have been great changes in the structure of the Commonwealth. Ideas of
citizenship which were suitable in 1948 are no longer so, and our citizenship
laws are out of date. Arrangements have now to be devised which will be
suitable for the changed circumstances and will endure for a very long time
ahead.
The Scope of the Bill
5. The Bill will deal only with the law of nationality, and with
consequential amendments to the Immigration Act which will be needed because
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