TNAG-1084-FCO40-1334-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 98

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TO ROUTINE CERTAIN MISSIONS AND DEPENDENT TERRITORIES.

GUIDANCE TELEGRAM NUMBER 75 OF 16 JUNE 1981

Н. стрункею.

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REUNIONES SADY NO. 5

1 * JUN 1981

BRITISH NATIONALITY BILL

DESK OFFICER INDEX

REGISTRY

PA

Action Taken

16320/7

1. THE NATIONALITY BILL HAS NOW COMPLETED ITS PASSAGE THROUGH

THE HOUSE OF COMMONS AND GOES TO THE HOUSE OF LORDS FOR SECOND

READING ON 22 JUNE. DEBATE IN THE LORDS IS EXPECTED TO BE ROBUST.

LINE TO TAKE

2. CHARGES FROM NUMEROUS QUARTERS THAT THE BILL IS RACIST ARE

GROUNDLESS. THE BILL APPLIES EQUALLY TO ALL SECTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY AND PERSONS REGISTERED OR NATURALISED AFTER A PERIOD

OF RESIDENCE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM WILL BE IN THE SAME POSITION

AS PEOPLE BORN HERE. THE CRITERIA FOR APPLICATIONS FOR OUR

CITIZENSHIP ARE UNCONNECTED WITH PEOPLE'S RACIAL ORIGINS. THE BILL MAKES IT ABSOLUTELY PLAIN THAT, IN CONSIDERING APPLICATIONS,

DISCRIMINATION ON GROUNDS OF RACE, COLOUR OR CREED IS TOTALLY

UNACCEPTABLE. THE GOVERNMENT EMPHASISED WHEN THE BILL WAS

PRESENTED TO PARLIAMENT THAT IT HAD AN OPEN MIND ON MANY OF ITS PROVISIONS. AMENDMENTS INTRODUCED BY THE GOVERNMENT DURING THE

PASSAGE OF THE BILL THROUGH PARLIAMENT CONFIRM THAT THIS HAS BEEN

AND WILL REMAIN THE GOVERNMENT'S ATTITUDE.

BACKGROUND (MAY BE USED FREELY)

3. THE GOVERNMENT INTRODUCED A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL

DURING HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMITTEE STAGE AND REPORT/THIRD READING. THEY ARE SUMMARISED AS FOLLOWS:

I)

CHILDREN BORN IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AFTER COMMENCEMENT OF

THE ACT WHO DO NOT ACQUIRE BRITISH CITIZENSHIP AT BIRTH WILL HAVE

AN ENTITLEMENT TO REGISTRATION AFTER TEN YEARS' RESIDENCE IN THE

UK FROM BIRTH.

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