14. My Lords, in the light of the history which I have just
outlined, I do not consider that it can reasonably be argued
that the Government have been indifferent to the needs and wishes
of the Falkland Islanders. Their position has always been
sympathetically considered and they now have unrestricted access
to this country if they want it. After 5 years residence here,
they would be entitled to British citizenship if they did not have
it already. That the Government have acted generously and
appropriately is recognised even by some of our critics.
+
They suggest that, having gone this far, really it is only a small
extra step to take to confer British citizenship on everyone
connected with the Islands.
15. My Lords, it is not a small step. It has very significant
implications for the whole scheme of British Dependent Territories
citizenship. At present that citizenship is held in common by all
those who have ties with the dependent territories. In no case
does a connection with a dependent territory automatically confer
British citizenship. If that were to happen, the whole purpose of
the legislation would be undermined. This purpose is to create
distinctive citizenships for those who belong to the United Kingdom
on the one hand and for those who belong to the dependent territories
on the other.
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