TNAG-2976-FCO40-1245-Effect-of-the-UK-nationality-laws-on-Dependent-Territories-B-1981 — Page 123

BRITISH NATIONALITY BILL

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMITTEE STAGE

NOTES ON AMENDMENTS

Mr Roy Hattersley

HKG 340/1

5 MAY 1981

2.9K OFFICER

PA

Enter 14/12/29 (265

Mahady

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file

بجانا

छ्य

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Mr John Tilley

Mr George Morton

Clause 14, page 12, line 29 leave out from "territory" to end of line 6 on

page 13.

RESIST

Effect of the amendment

The amendment would prevent a child born abroad to citizens of the British Dependent Territories in Crown Service (and closely associated activities) from obtaining his or her parents' citizenship unless one of the child's parent had been generally speaking born, registered or naturalised in a dependent territory and held citizenship of the British Dependent Territories thereby.

Government Line

2. The Government believe that, in general, citizenship of the British Dependent Territories, like British citizenship, should not be transmissible beyond the first generation born overseas. Special provision is, however, needed for children born abroad to Crown Servants, so that they are not at a disadvantage because of the demands of their parents' occupation.

3.

B

Automatic conferment of citizenship rather than a registration provision similar to that for businessmen-- seems justified because of the nature of the employment concerned. Someone who is serving under the government of a dependent territory overseas is clearly and directly representing the interests of that territory and there is no question that the primary attachement of such a person lies with the dependent territory concerned.

*This assumes that Government amendment 207 is adopted.