HC Deb 01 February 1973 vol 849 cc1588-9
4. Mr. John Fraser

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made on his review of the law of citizenship.

25. Mr. Fowler

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is now in a position to announce a decision on his review of the law of citizenship.

Mr. R. Carr

We are proceeding with the necessary technical studies; but, as I indicated in my reply to Questions on 7th December, the subject is a complicated one.

Mr. Fraser

Will the Home Secretary confirm that eventually, when his technical studies are complete, there will be a formally-constituted committee of inquiry into the law of citizenship, that all groups affected will be represented and that the committee will work closely with the Commonwealth Secretariat? Will the Home Secretary, as a matter of citizenship, urgently look at the plight of United Kingdom citizens who are imprisoned in other countries because their leave to remain there has expired and who carry British passports which have the unique distinction of debarring them from entering the United Kingdom?

Mr. Carr

I should like to look into the second part of the question and communicate with the hon. Gentleman. On the first part, I should not like to commit myself at this stage to a formally-constituted committee of inquiry, but there will have to be widespread consultations outside the country as well as inside it. I will keep the House informed as to how we proceed. We want to proceed quickly and we have to proceed thoroughly, and, I accept, not in isolation.

Dr. Glyn

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is deep concern in the country on this question? We are undoubtedly faced with the possibility of large-scale immigration, and the country wants the Government to get on with the studies. I am grateful for what my right hon. Friend has said, but will he get on with this as quickly as possible, in consultation with our Commonwealth partners and European friends?

Mr. Carr

I assure my hon. Friend that we are getting on with it as quickly as possible. It is urgent, but it is also very complicated, and there will have to be widespread consultation inside and outside the country.