§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give full consideration to the status of residents in Gibraltar before the proposed Nationality Bill is presented; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitelawDuring the preparation of the British Nationality Bill I and my colleagues have given full consideration to the status of people in Gibraltar, and in particular have taken account of the memorandum signed by the elected Members of the House of Assembly and representative bodies, in which they ask that Gibraltarians should become British citizens.
571WI fully understand the feelings which prompt this request; but I am afraid that I must adhere to the proposal contained in the White Paper on British nationality law, that birth in or other close connection with Gibraltar shall qualify the holders for citizenship of the British dependent territories, as they will in the case of all other dependencies. This decision in no way alters the constitutional position of Gibraltar in relation to the United Kingdom. Gabraltarians also have the right, as United Kingdom nationals for European Community purposes, to enter the United Kingdom to seek and take up employment. That will also remain the position.