§ 15. Mr. Laneasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a further statement on the position of Pakistanis resident in Great Britain.
§ 19. Mr. Wilkinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to introduce legislation to amend the British Nationality Act, 1948 with a view to safeguarding the rights and status of Pakistan nationals now resident in the United Kingdom and to removing anomalies in the existing law.
§ Mr. MaudlingI cannot at present add to my reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Wilkinson) on 3rd February.—[Vol. 830, c. 186.]
§ Mr. LaneIs my right hon. Friend aware that, in view of our previous undertakings to the people concerned, the Government's prompt repudiation of the views of my right hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, South-West (Mr. Powell) was very welcome?
§ Mr. MaudlingIt is important to be clear what the law is on these matters.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is concern in the Pakistani community about its exact position? A number of members of this community have been resident in this country for many years, and anything further that my right hon. Friend is able to say on the position of these people, especially the dependants, would be very 1477 welcome. I thank him for all he has already said in this respect.
§ Mr. MaudlingI cannot add to the statement that they remain Commonwealth citizens unless and until the British Nationality Act, 1948, has been amended.