HL Deb 04 February 1971 vol 314 cc1465-6WA
LORD O'HAGAN

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will now give an estimate of United Kingdom and Colonies citizens resident in foreign and independent Commonwealth countries who have not taken out United Kingdom passports; whether they will publish figures (the most recent, if there are none current) for each country.

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

No figures are available of the number of citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies in foreign and independent Commonwealth countries who have not taken out United Kingdom passports. It would be extremely difficult to attempt to give such an estimate with any degree of accuracy. The circumstances in which citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies can be acquired vary greatly and there could be many different reasons why a citizen has not obtained a United Kingdom passport. If, however, the noble Lord has a particular purpose and country in mind, Her Majesty's representative there could be asked to supply such information as is available.

LORD O'HAGAN

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What estimate they make of United Kingdom citizens now resident in foreign countries who were neither born in the United Kingdom, nor have a parent or grandparent born in the United Kingdom and who are also not naturalised United Kingdom citizens; and whether they will give separate estimates for each country.

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

Records of the numbers of United Kingdom citizens resident in foreign countries, who are subject to control under the Commonwealth Immigrants Acts are not available.

House adjourned at twenty minutes before nine o'clock.