ROFAAP
BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT (BNA)
(Why have we accepted so few 46 ex-soldiers, 8 others under
Section 4(5) of the BNA?)
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Registration of individuals who have given crown service as
British citizens under the British Nationality Act is a matter for
the Home Secretary's discretion. He has made it clear that grants
of citizenship would be few and exceptional, under very exacting
criteria.
(If necessary)
Understand concerns about those, including civil servants, who
have served us well in Hong Kong. Can assure you that the
Government have this point very much in mind. In certain limited
cases certain rights of admission will exist at the discretion of
the Home Secretary. That will be on a very limited basis for people
who were exposed to special considerations and special factors.
(Why are wives and widows of ex-servicemen in Hong Kong not given Britain citizenship?)
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Ex-servicemen can apply for British citizenship under Section 4(5) of the British Nationality Act 1981. The wives of British citizens
have automatic access to the United Kingdom with their husbands for resettlement purposes. Under current immigration rules, widows have
to qualify in their own right for settlement. We are considering
the position with the Home Office. In the meantime, applications will be looked at with the greatest care, to see what scope there might be for exceptional treatment within the existing rules.
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