TNAG-1086-FCO40-1336-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 116

10. Where appropriate, these changes have been carried through into

the scheme for citizenship of the British Dependent Territories, to

the benefit of that scheme too. I would reiterate, my Lords, the

Government's total commitment to the maintenance of our existing

very strong links with the dependencies. Nothing in this Bill in any

way weakens our constitutional relationship with them or our obligation

to represent their interests internationally.

11. My Lords, much has been done therefore in your Lordships' House

But, though

to this Bill and for the most part to its betterment.

altered in many respects, the basic structure of the Bill remains,

broadly speaking, as it arrived in your Lordships' House. It continues

to provide for the replacement of the confused and outmoded arrangements

for citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies with three statuses -

British citizenship, which carries with it the right of abode for those

who have links with the United Kingdom: citizenship of the British

Dependent Territories for those who have links with existing dependent

territories; and British Overseas citizenship for those citizens of the

United Kingdom and Colonies who have links neither with the United

Kingdom nor the dependent territories.

12. My Lords, there are bound to be some aspects of this scheme of

citizenship which do not find favour. But there can be no doubt, my

Lords, that, whatever objections of detail there may be, this measure

will mark a real advance. At last our citizenship law will be on a

rational basis, and at last we shall have a British citizenship which carries with it the right of abode in this country - a citizenship

which defines those who belong to this country and are part of it, a

citizenship which puts an end to the damaging uncertainties of our

present arrangements.

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