CONFIDENTIAL
emphasise certain points, most of which are already in the
which
draft statement but would make a bigger impact if pooled
together. What I have in mind is a piece covering briefly
the following points:
(a) the need for a new Act:
(b)
(c)
(d)
universal agreement in the UK. including the main
political parties, on the need for a separate citizen-
ship for the UK (the underlined words would be useful
overseas);
individual groups not adversely affected (new citizen-
ship would incorporate immigrants who have taken our
present citizenship; all CUKCs will get at least one
righte citizenship; Commonwealth patrials preserved; these
lawfully resident in the UK not affected, Special
Voucher scheme maintained and entry of close dependents
of those settled here not affected);
so there is nothing in the proposals to alarm or disturb
the Commonwealth and the dependencies.
Give re-
assurance to the dependencies;
(e)
so there will be no overnight transformation, but some
immediate benefits and we shall move increasingly to
the ultimate objective;
·
(f) explain why British Overseas Citizen category (and
other special categories maintained) in preference to alfernative
extremes suggested by others:
(g) having established a separate citizenship for the UK
5.
it will be necessary to ensure that in future it is
acquired only by those who have a genuine close connection
with the UK.
We think a piece covering these points can be done
fairly briefly and omitting references to particular
CONFIDENTIAT
/provisions