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British Nationality Bill
4 JUNE 1981
[Mr. Raison]
represent
their
protection and
interests internationally--both of which, of course, we intend to continue to do.
Finally, on the question of what those citizens tell immigration authorities in third countries, the position is as follows. They will bear a passport that will on the cover have the words "British Passport" and the name "Hong Kong". Inside, the citizenship description will probably be "citizen of the British Dependent Territories-Hong Kong". We shall of course tell other countries of our new citizenship titles, and these descriptions should cause no doubt or difficulty to immigration officers in third countries. I should make the point that my answers to my hon. Friend, which I hope he will find reassuring, will apply with equal force to our other dependent territories, and that must be emphasised.
There have been references in this debate to the provision in part III of the Bill for British overseas citizens. It has been suggested that they should instead become British citizens, or that those in Africa or India should become British citizens, or that those left over after a Commonwealth conference should become British citizens. All these ideas are, we believe, quite unrealistic. They would almost certainly lead to a large increase in the numbers who would wish to come here from overseas. In our present circumstances such a course would be only too likely to damage race relations, and so, too, would the argument that we should allow all voucher holders to come into this county al one!
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British Nationality Bill
citizens if one of their parents is a British citize settled. The addition to clause 41 that the Gov made in Committee makes it quite plain that app: for citizenship are to be considered without rega applicant's race, colour or creed. Those who are citizenship under the present system will still be an so. All those are facts.
The right hon. Member for Sparkbrook an attacked our departure from jus soli-the princi everyone born here should automatically citizenship. What is the principle that says that s neither of whose parents belong here, either as ci settled persons, should have an automatic clair citizenship? Why should the child of the studen short-term worker here take back to his parents' when he returns an entitlement to be seen as a citizen. Why should the child of someone wh lawfully here have an entitlement to our citizenshi he has been here so long that his roots are truly ei. here? That is the point of principle. We are lookin connection and real commitment.
What about the practicalities of the matter? O there are points that must be carefully conside have considered them at great length dur proceedings. However, I remain unconvinced the the balance against our proposals. Those who o appear to believe that it would be our aim to pla possible obstacle in the way of those who seek that they are citizens, at least if they are black #lolevue. In dự. matory
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