TNAG-0660-FCO40-809-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1977 — Page 149

Citizenship by naturalisation

53. Under our present law, foreign nationals who seek naturalisation have to satisfy the Home Secretary, amongst

other things, that they have resided here for at least

five years;

that they are of good character; that they have a sufficient knowledge of English; and that they intend, once naturalised, to remain here or linked to British interests abroad. Many Commonwealth citizens have an entitlement to citizenship and have to show only that they have been ordinarily resident here for five years. But increasing numbers are having to meet roughly the same requirements as for naturali- sation (Commonwealth citizens apply for registration, not naturalisation). There is no appeal against refusal of either

naturalisation or registration.

54. There are three aspects of the procedure on which the Government will particularly welcome views the good character requirement, the language test and the absence of an appeals

system.

Good character

55. The requirement that applicants for naturalisation must be of good character is long-established.

Over the years, records of what constitutes good character have been carefully kept, and the doctrine has been modified from time to time as society's views of acceptable behaviour and attitudes have changed. But the requirement is imprecise. It is after all

easier to say that someone is of good character than to analyse why this is so. Different people are bound to have different views of what constitutes good character. Every effort is made to treat applicants consistently and fairly in this matter, but it is not always easy to administer the good character requirement satisfactorily.

56. But, equally, it is not easy to devise an adequate substitute. One way would be to limit consideration of character

to criminal and financial matters. It might be said that some- one was acceptable for naturalisation who had never been