TNAG-0979-FCO40-1198-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1980 — Page 68

CONFIDENTIAL

Commonwealth Citizens Living in the United Kingdom

14. Some correspondents were uncertain about the nationality position under

any new nationality legislation of citizens of independent Commonwealth

countries lawfully settled here who had not acquired citizenship of the

United Kingdom and Colonies. They would of course be able to continue to

live here as Commonwealth citizens and to seek British Citizenship if they so

desired. But it would be contrary to international practice to confer our

citizenship automatically on people who are not our nationals, and in any

event not all Commonwealth citizens living here would want our citizenship

for they could thereby lose their original citizenship under the law of their country of origin. Those with a preserved entitlement to registration under section 6(1) of the British Nationality Act 1948 will be given a further

period in which to exercise that entitlement.

Civic Rights

15. A number of correspondents considered that the question of civic rights. and duties should have been discussed; but it was explained in the

Green Paper (paragraph 66), that civic privileges do not stem directly from the law of nationality and that this was the reason they were not dealt with.

Eligibility for a Passport

16.

It has also been suggested that every citizen should have the right to a passport, but there is no evidence that the present system whereby all citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies are eligible for passports (which are issued under the Royal Prerogative) but are not entitled to them, does not work effectively. It is understood that other countries which give citizens a right to a passport are obliged to make exceptions in certain cases.

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