Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002

HL Deb 07 April 2003 vol 647 cc8-9WA

Lord Milner of Leeds

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When Section 4 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 will come into effect. [HL2456]

Lord Filkin

Section 4 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, which amends Section 40 of the British Nationality Act 1981, came into force on 1 April. The law now provides that a person can be deprived of his British nationality—provided that he has another nationality—if he has done anything seriously prejudicial to the vital interests of the United Kingdom.

I can now confirm that the Home Secretary has commenced action under the new provision by giving written notice to Mr Abu Hamza of the decision to make a deprivation order in respect of him. We are satisfied that his activities have been seriously prejudicial to this country's vital interests. It will be open to Mr Hamza to appeal against the Home Secretary's decision. Any appeal will in the first instance be heard by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission.