TNAG-1144-FCO40-1424-Hong-Kong-and-the-Falkland-Islands-crisis-1982 — Page 123

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Thursday, 8th April, 1982.

Written No. 119

Mr. Teddy Taylor (Southend East): To ask the Secretary

of State for the Home Department, how many of the residents of the Falkland Islands are classified as British Dependent Territories citizens under the British Nationality Act 1981; if British Dependent Territories citizens may settle and seek employment without delay or screening in the United Kingdom under the Immigration Rules; and if he will make a statement.

MR. WILLIAM WHITELAV

1

Under the British Nationality Act 1981 all citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies connected with the Falkland Islands will become British Dependent Territories citizens and approximately 1,400 will also become British citizens. When the Act comes into operation, which I expect to be on 1st January 1983, admission to the United Kingdom of citizens of the British Dependent Territories will be subject to the same requirements of the Immigration Rules as presently apply to non-patrial citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies. However, I have made it clear that in the .present circumstances no Falkland Islander, whether he has the right of abode or not, will have any difficulty over admission to this country; Falkland Islanders will be admitted for settlement and there will thus be no restriction on their taking employment.