Paragraph 3 continued
This however is not a suitable matter for domestic
legislation. The relevance of who is or who is not a 'national' lics in the sphere of international law. In this connection, it is particularly unfortunate that this amendment would cover many people who are not only subject to our immigration control but who also hold other citizenships. The 1.3 million future BOCS in Malaysia are probably the largest category here.
4. I fear, my Lords, that a provision of this kind would cause considerable uncertainty, confusion and even dispute. It would have declared that all three groups of citizens were British nationals; but the significance of this would be open to much controversy, and would be a fruitful source of dispute and argument. The declaration might have been made, but the content would be a matter of great doubt. [This is in any case not an appropriate matter for domestic legislation].
5.
Now it is true, as we have repeatedly made clear, that the United Kingdom will continue to give consular assistance and diplomatic representation just as they
-
-
do now to all three groups
at least when no other
citizenship is held. And our ability to continue to represent their interests internationally will remain unchanged. But there is no unanimity as to what if any other rights or obligations exist between a state and those who are regarded as nationals of that state, particularly in relation to the right of entry or settlement in that state generally or in specific circumstances.
6.
Moreover, my Lords, a statement of this kind would tend to blur the distinction between the three types of citizenship which this Bill creates. It is after all one of our major objectives to provide a new scheme of
/citizenship