HL Deb 10 November 2004 vol 666 cc81-2WA
Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 27 October (WA 126), whether they will explain why an Indian minor who acquires British nationality by registration, not involuntarily by birth, does not lose Indian nationality. [HL4741]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

Indian citizens who voluntarily acquire another citizenship lose their Indian citizenship. However, minors are incapable of voluntarily acquiring another citizenship.

Making an application for registration is indeed a voluntary act. In the case of minors, however, the application is made by the parents acting on the child's behalf. It is not made by the child. Children who are registered as British nationals have not, therefore, voluntarily acquired another citizenship.

It is our understanding that Indian dual nationals would lose their Indian citizenship only if, on reaching the age of majority, they failed to renounce any other nationality then held.

Forward to