TNAG-2976-FCO40-1245-Effect-of-the-UK-nationality-laws-on-Dependent-Territories-B-1981 — Page 124

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The categories designated under Clause 14(3) as being closely associated with the activities outside the dependent territories of the government of any dependent territory will be small in number. We have in mind crown servants under

the government of a dependency who are seconded to international organisations in the course of their careers, and possible those working for other organisations such as Trade Development Organisations or tourist authorities.

Speaking Note

5. The Government are firmly opposed to this amendment. It would prevent children born abroad to people serving the government of a British Dependent Territory from acquiring citizenship of the British Dependent Territories unless one of their parents was such a citizen by, generally speaking, birth, naturalisation or registration in a dependent territory.

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6. We believe that it is justifiable to make transmission of citizenship in these circumstances automatic. I think it will be generally accepted that someone who is serving the government of a dependent territory overseas is clearly and directly representing the interests of that territory. There is no question that the primary attachment of such a person lies with the dependent territory. His or her child will look equally to the dependent territory which their parent serves, not the country of birth. This strong attachment should we believe be recognised by the automatic conferment of citizenship.

7. Now the provisions of this clause do of course extend beyond those in Crown Service under the government of a dependent territory to others in service designated by the Secretary of State as closely akin to Crown Service. But, as with the equivalent provision of British citizenship, the categories of service designated in this way will be very small. What we have in mind are crown servants under the government of a dependency who are seconded to international organisations in the course of their careers and possibly those working for Trade Development organisations or tourist authorities. We certainly do not intend that this should be a means of conferring citizenship at executive discretion.

8.

This amendment would cause injustice and hardship, and I call upon the Committee to reject it.

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