§ 65. Mr. Godfrey Nicholsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that many Anglo-Burmans are finding difficulty in proving their claim to British citizenship owing to the almost total destruction of records in Burma; and what steps he is taking to give them the assistance they require.
§ Mr. MayhewAlthough the records in Burma have been destroyed it is possible to obtain from the Commonwealth Relations Office records of marriages celebrated in Burma under the Christian Marriage Act and of births of children of European British subjects. Where despite the absence of a record at the Commonwealth Relations Office, there are reasonable grounds for believing that the parents of an Anglo-Burman were validly married, it is the practice to give him the benefit of the doubt and to regard him as having retained British nationality if his father or paternal grandfather was born in British territory outside Burma.
§ Mr. NicholsonWhile that answer is satisfactory, is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Anglo-Burman community reports that those conditions are not being carried out and are very concerned about it? Will he receive a deputation from them?
§ Mr. MayhewI will certainly look into any information which the hon. Gentleman has, and will consider receiving a deputation