TNAG-1191-FCO40-1493-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1982 — Page 42

Circular 'O' 175/81 GNN 340/1(42)

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

-HKK 3401

London SWIA,

1A2AH

ผู้

25.51

26 October 1981

BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT 1981 ROYAL ASSENT

BRITISH NATIONALITY (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1981

ON-

Af13/10

1.

The British Nationality Bill is expected to receive Royal Assent at the beginning of November. Copies of the Act, and further Instructions explaining its main provisions, will be sent to you as soon as possible.

2.

Although the main part of the Act will not come into force until a day appointed by the Home Secretary, clause 49 of the Bill (the text of which is given at Annex A) comes into force at Royal Assent. Clause 49 simplifies the current procedures for registration and naturalisation by providing that a person shall not be registered or naturalised under the British Nationality Acts 1948-65 as a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies, or registered as a British Subject, unless the fee payable has been paid and any oath of allegiance required has been taken. The object of this change is to reduce the amount of correspondence with applicants. The fee and oath can be requested together instead of the taking of the oath having to come after registration or the issue of the certificate of naturalisation.

3.

The British Nationality (Amendment) Regulations 1981 will make provision for the taking of the oath within three months of the request. The Regulations will specify the form of a certificate of naturalisation and the oath of allegiance.

DISTRIBUTION:-

All posts and Dependent Territories

NATIONALITY AND TREATY DEPARMENT

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