HC Deb 19 November 1965 vol 720 cc109-10W
Captain Kerby

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those countries whose citizens have automatically become citizens of their new country, as described in his booklet, British Nationality and Citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies, when their citizenship of the United Kingdom and colonies has been withdrawn following the grant of independence to a British territory.

Mr. George Thomas

Citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies was withdrawn by Acts of Parliament from persons automatically becoming citizens of the following countries:

  • Ghana.
  • Nigeria.
  • Cyprus.
  • Sierra Leone.
  • Tanganyika.
  • Jamaica.
  • Trinidad and Tobago.
  • Uganda.
  • The Federation of Malaysia.
  • Zanzibar.
  • Kenya.
  • Malawi.
  • Zambia.
  • Malta.
  • The Gambia.

Captain Kerby

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what classes of people have, by reason of a special connection with the United Kingdom, as described in his booklet, British Nationality and Citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies, retained citizenship of the United Kingdom and colonies, instead of becoming citizens of their new country, when the country concerned has achieved independence.

Mr. George Thomas

Independence Acts have usually included a provision to the effect that a person who would otherwise cease to be a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies on becoming a citizen of the newly independent colony shall not cease to be a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies if he, his father, or his father's father, was born, naturalised or registered in the United Kingdom or in a remaining colony, and that a woman who is the wife of a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies shall not cease to be such a citizen in this way unless her husband does so.