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FM FCO 09 1000Z DEC 82
TO PRIORITY CERTAIN MISSIONS AND DEPENDENT TERRITORIES GUIDANCE TELEGRAM NUMBER 231 OF 9 DECEMBER 1982
BRITISH NATIONALITY (FALKLAND ISLANDS) AMENDMENT BILL
1.
A PRIVATE MEMBERS BILL INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS
BY BARONESS VICKERS AND READ A SECOND TIME ON 29 NOVEMBER WOULD
GRANT BRITISH CITIZENSHIP TO THE 400 FALKLAND ISLANDERS WHO WILL OTHERWISE BECOME BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENS (BDTC'S) UNDER THE BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT 1981 WHEN IT COMES INTO FORCE
ON 1 JANUARY 1983. THE OTHER 1400 ISLANDERS HAVE SUFFICIENTLY
CLOSE CONNECTIONS WITH THE UK TO QUALIFY AS BRITISH CITIZENS
UNDER THE BNA 1981.
LINE TO TAKE
IN RESPONSE TO
2. YOU SHOULD NOT INITIATE DISCUSSION.
ENQUIRIES IT SHOULD BE STRESSED THAT IT IS ONLY A BILL AND
THERE IS NO CERTAINTY AS TO THE FORM IN WHICH IT WILL REACH
THE STATUTE BOOK. IT SHOULD ALSO BE EMPHASISED THAT THE
MEASURE IS WHOLLY EXCEPTIONAL AND IS NOT TO BE REGARDED AS A
PRECEDENT FOR OTHER DEPENDENT TERRITORIES. IF ASKED ABOUT
GIBRALTAR YOU SHOULD SAY THAT THE TWO CASES ARE DIFFERENT.
BDTCS WITH A CONNECTION WITH GIBRALTAR ARE ENTITLED UNDER
SECTION 5 OF THE BNA TO REGISTER AS BRITISH CITIZENS BECAUSE
GIBRALTAR IS A EUROPEAN TERRITORY OF AN EC MEMBER STATE AND
THE PEOPLE CONCERNED ARE CONSIDERED TO BE UK NATIONALS FOR THE
PURPOSE OF THE EC TREATIES.
3. OTHER PARAGRAPHS OF THIS GUIDANCE MAY BE DRAWN ON AS
NECESSARY.
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