HKG D SED
8. Ve have made a number of useful changes in the language
requirement for applicants for naturalisation under clause 57.
The requirement has now been removed altogether for spouses a
measure that will greatly help women from the third world who may
have difficulty in learning English. There will now be a discretion.
to waive the language requirement on grounds of mental condition -
a measure that will, we believe, help to relieve the particularly
painful situation of parents of mentally handicapped adults who are
anxious that their child should be able to secure citizenship.
Finally, we have admitted Scottish Gaelic to the language test a
measure that has, I know, been greatly welcomed in Scotland.
9. I am glad that we were able to meet the noble Lord, Lord Pitt, on changes to the preserved entitlements in clause [67, which will
particularly benefit young people in the ethnic minority communities
and will ensure that those of them long resident here but born
elsewhere will be able to secure British citizenship when they are of
age as an entitlement.
They will not have. to go through the full
process of naturalisation and will also benefit from the provision added to clause 67 which enables late applications for these
entitlements to be accepted in special circumstances for up to 3 years
after the normal closing date. We hope that those who are in touch
with these young people will make them aware of what the Bill offers
them and the opportunities for acquiring citizenship which they have
under it.
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