DSR 11C
1. The discretion would be used in two ways. The first would enable citizens of the British Dependent Territories, and holders of the other statuses concerned, who had come to live in this country to be registered as British citizens before 5 years had elapsed. Second, there may be cases where such particularly deserving service has
been rendered to the Crown under the Government of a dependency that it would be appropriate to grant British citizenship without insisting on previous residence here. Personal connections with the United Kingdom would,
however, obviously be relevant. In case it is
envisaged that the discretion would be exercised only
sparingly.
2.
Beyond this, it is not possible to give an estimate
of the numbers which might be involved. Each case would
have to be looked at on its merits. The Home Secretary would have to consider, in the circumstances of each
particular application, whether there were special circumstances justifying the exercise of the discretion
in that case. Obviously the cases in which he would so
decide would not be numerous there is no question of
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this being part of the regular emoluments of Crown Servants in the dependencies. But we think that it is
right that the new clause should indicate that Crown Service in the dependencies could in some circumstances be recognised in this way as benefitting the United Kingdom itself.
3. I should just say a word about the people who are
covered by the discretion in subsection (4). As subsection
(5) indicates,, it is not only Crown Servants who are
involved. The subsection also applies to people in paid or unpaid service as members of any body established by law in a dependent territory members of which are appointed
by or on behalf of the Crown. This brings in people who may not be Crown Servants but are playing a crucial part in the Government of a Dependent Territory.