HC Deb 14 December 1982 vol 34 c119W
Mr. Cyril D. Townsend

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government normally make on behalf of United Kingdom citizens holding dual nationality who are in difficulties in the country of their second nationality.

Mr. Onslow

We do not normally make representations in such cases, as we are not entitled under international law to afford protection to one of our nationals who has dual nationality in the country of his second nationality. This means that any approaches we make have to be informal, and the State concerned is quite entitled to take the view that we have no standing.