3. First, of course, there are the changes in the arrangements for
the transmission of citizenship.
We have greatly simplified these
arrangements, and have ensured that the children of British citizens
by descent will be entitled to British citizenship if they are in the
second generation born abroad and their parents can meet a not very
arduous residence requirement. This entitlement will not depend on
the nature of the parents' employment at the time of the child's birth.
It will be a simple and straightforward entitlement and should be much
easier to operate than the scheme which it replaces. It will, I believe,
greatly ease the concern that has been expressed overseas about the
eligibility of children born abroad to British citizens themselves born
abroad and will ensure that, where families with children in the second
generation born abroad desire to retain the British connection and to
secure British citizenship for their children, they will be able to do
so with the minimum of formalities. This is, we believe, a real advance.
4. Beyond the second generation, there will still be opportunities for
children to acquire British citizenship. There is an entitlement under
clause 3(6) if the family returns to live in this country for three
years. And the Home Secretary has discretion in other cases where the
child continues to live abroad, and the nature of the links with this
country obviously need to be assessed before our citizenship, and the
right of abode, can be granted. In this connection it will obviously
be right for any business or employment connections with this country.
to be most fully and sympathetically taken into account.
5. Secondly, there are the changes that have been made to clarify a
person's access to the courts where an application for citizenship as
an entitlement is refused.
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