§ John AustinTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the first British passports to be available to citizens of the Overseas Territories under the provisions of the Overseas Territories Bill. [28315]
§ Mr. BradshawBritish passports will be made available to citizens of the Overseas Territories once two criteria have been met. First, that the Overseas Territories Bill has been passed and has received Royal Assent. Secondly, that a commencement date for the citizenship provisions of the Bill has been decided by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. This date will be set once satisfactory arrangements for practical implementation, such as passport issue, have been agreed and put in place.