TNAG-0660-FCO40-809-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1977 — Page 63

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Naturalisation

The question whether there should be any change in the require- ments for the grant of naturalisation, for example as to the standards of character and knowledge of the language, is discussed in paragraphs 51-60 .

Dual nationality

Our present law imposes no restriction on the holding of dual nationality. Paragraphs 61-65 mention some of the complexities arising from dual nationality and discuss what changes might be made.

British Overseas Citizenship

It is suggested that British Overseas Citizenship might be conferred on those citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies who were born, naturalised or registered in an existing dependency, or whose fathers were so born, naturalised or registered. This status would also be conferred on those other people who are now citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies or British Protected Persons but who would not become British Citizens. As a general rule entry to a dependency would be limited to those who were British Overseas Citizens by virtue of a connection with it. And British Overseas Citizenship would not carry with it the right of entry to the United Kingdom (paragraphs 67-70). It would be necessary, so that British Overseas Citizenship should in the longer term be related to depen- dencies only, to make the rules for acquisition and transmission more restrictive than those for British Citizenship (paragraphs 71-74).

The special question of United Kingdom Passport holders from East Africa

These arrangements would not affect the obligation which the Government have assumed towards holders of United Kingdom passports from East Africa, and the special voucher system would continue (para- graph 70).

This document is published as part of the process of open Govern- ment. Members of the public or representatives of interested bodies who wish to express their views on any of the matters discussed in the document are invited to write to the Home Office, Nationality Division (A. H. Room 1606), Immigration and Nationality Department, 40 Wellesley Road, Croydon CR9 2BY.*

* Special arrangements will be made in respect of Hong Kong for views to be

channelled through the F.ong Kong Government if this is desired.

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