§ Mr. Stanbrookasked the Minister for the Civil Service what categories of public appointments are restricted to British subjects, including Commonwealth citizens; which of these require the taking of an oath of allegiance before assumption of office; and to what extent citizens of the Irish Republic may be appointed to each category.
§ Mr. ChannonIn making appointments to public bodies Ministers are not restricted to British subjects or Commonwealth citizens. They are, however, required to satisfy themselves that any necessary security provisions are met. The taking of an oath of allegiance on accepting a public appointment is not generally required.
§ Mr. Stanbrookasked the Minister for the Civil Service what Armed Forces and Civil Service posts are restricted to British subjects, including Commonwealth citizenship; which of these require the taking of an oath of allegiance before assumption of office; and to what extent citizens of the Irish Republic may hold such posts.
§ Mr. ChannonUnder the Civil Service Commission general regulations, made under the authority of the Civil Service Order in Council 1978, candidates for appointment in the Civil Service are required to be British subjects, Commonwealth citizens, British protected persons, or citizens of the Irish Republic. In addition, they have to satisfy certain conditions as to parentage or residence. I have arranged to have copies of the relevant extract from the general regulations placed in the Library. Civil servants are not required to take an oath of allegiance before the assumption of office.
The conditions for entry into the Armed Forces are, of course, the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence. I am informed, however, that all entrants are required to be British subjects, Commonwealth citizens, or citizens of the Irish Republic, and that all entrants to the Army, the Royal Air Force and the Royal Marines have to take an oath of allegiance.