§ Mr. Waltersasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make use of his discretion to grant British nationality automatically to the children of British nationals who were born abroad while their parents were serving in the Armed Forces, even if these children do not at the moment intend to live in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. RaisonI understand my hon. Friend to be referring to children born abroad to a parent who is a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies by descent and who was himself (or herself) born abroad to a father who was at the time serving in the Armed Forces. We do not think it would be appropriate to register all such children automatically. Applications would be carefully considered, but the nature of the child's links with the United Kingdom must remain an important factor in deciding them.