§ 17. Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received regarding his decision not to make provision for altering the anomaly regarding Irish voting rights in his forthcoming nationality Bill.
§ Mr. BrittanSince the publication of the White Paper on British nationality law on 30 July, by last week we had received letters referring to this decision from four hon. Members and about a dozen members of the public.
§ Mr. Bruce-GardyneIs my hon. and learned Friend aware that, if the opinions expressed to me by my constituents are anything to go by, the restrained number of letters that are received probably reflects the fact that constituents are so stertorous with rage that they cannot put pen to paper.
§ Mr. BrittanI often think that it is difficult to know why constituents have written but impossible to know why they have not written.
§ Mr. Alexander W. LyonIs it now clear that the nationality Bill will be introduced in the next Session; and, if so, will the Government reconsider the proposal that children who are born here should not receive British nationality?
§ Mr. BrittanI cannot anticipate the Queen's Speech.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonWhat representations has my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State received about United Kingdom voting rights in the Irish Republic, where our citizens may vote for local authorities but not for the Dail Eireann?
§ Mr. BrittanI do not have details of the number of representations on that subject, but the Taioseach has announced that he has established a working group to examine the matter.