WINDING UP COMMENTS
1.
I have explained that, glad as we are that Gibraltar wished to be part of the EC it was not the UK itself that singled out Gibraltar for special treatment in this respect. There is therefore no conflict between Gibraltar's position in relation to the EC and the Government's polity in placing Gibraltar in CBDT and not in British citizenship.
2. There is one other very important aspect in which our consistency leads to the same conclusion, and that is in the criteria for acquisition of British citizenship.
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3.
It is I think common ground between all the parties that there is a need to provide a distinctive citizenship for the UK itself. We have set out the criteria which we believe should apply for the acquisition of British citizenship criteria which require a close personal connection with the UK by the individual. We believe that this is right and it would be inconsistent with this policy to apply some other criteria to Gibraltarians or any other category becuase of a connection with the EC but not necessarily with the UK.
4.
Though we must resist this amendment because it would single out Gibraltar for special privileges I want to stress that nothing in the Bill weakens our links with Gibraltar. And the Bill in no way results in loss of present benefits enjoyed by Gibraltarians outside the nationality sphere. Gibraltar has nothing to fear from this Bill.