TNAG-0660-FCO40-809-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1977 — Page 136

A BRITISH CITIZENSHIP

TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

Groups of citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies who

might become British Citizens

21.

As indicated above, British Citizenship would be for those citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies with close ties with the United Kingdom. Clearly, therefore, the citizenship would be conferred at the outset on those who are now citizens

of the United Kingdom and Colonies because they were born here, adopted here, or acquired citizenship here by some voluntary act such as applying for naturalisation or registration.*

22. Then there are those citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies who, though not born, naturalised etc. here themselves,

hold their citizenship because of the birth or naturalisation

of a parent or grandparent here, or who for somewhat similar reasons have the right of entry. Where family ties are as close as this these people too might become British Citizens.

23. There are those who acquired citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies overseas, (for example, because they were born in a dependency or a former dependency) have remained citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies, and have made

their homes here. The largest element in this group is probably from East Africa. Many of these people have been

admitted to this country specifically for settlement under the special voucher scheme because they were under pressure in their country of residence, had not acquired local citizen- ship and could not, for instance, work there. In most cases

they could not have gone elsewhere. Their future lies here.

They have established a tie with this country through their residence here on a permanent basis and this should be

recognised by conferring British Citizenship on them.

* excluding those who, though they are registered in the

United Kingdom, are not, under our present law, exempted from immigration control.