CONTIDENTIAL
no firm conclusions on many of these ideas.
THE CASE FOR CHANGE
2.
There have been many changes in British society and in Britain's role in the world since the British Nationality Act, which provides the basis of United Kingdom citizenship, was passed in 1948. The law has been amended on numerous occasions so that
it is in some respects complicated and obscure. Moreover, because Britain is no longer an Imperial power, the all-embracing concept of nationality associated with this role, including the citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies, is no longer appropriate. It follows that there is need now to examine how our nationality law can be simplified and brought up-to-date.
THE POSSIBLE CHANGES
3. The main ideas canvassed in the Green Paper are summarized below. The Government are not committed to these ideas. It
follows therefore that it is not possible to forecast with any certainty what an individuals national status would be with the contents of a new law have been decided and it has been enacted
and brought into force, which is not likely to be for several
years.
Two new Citizenships
4. The present citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies
might be replaced by two citizenships a British Citizenship for those who have close ties with the United Kingdom and a British Overseas Citizenship which would be held by the remainder of those
persons who are now citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies.
a.
People who would become British Citizens
It is suggested that British Citizenship should be conferred, in general, on those citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies who were born, naturalised or registered in the United Kingdom (or in the Channel Islands or Isle of han); on those who hold that citizenship by descent and have the right of entry; on those citizens
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