HL Deb 15 December 1970 vol 313 cc1359-60WA
LORD O'HAGAN

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What estimate they now make of those in foreign and independent Commonwealth countries, who have not yet taken up but would in future still be eligible for, United Kingdom citizenship; whether they will publish figures for each country in which these people are resident; whether they will indicate which of the various figures given by the Government during the passage of the 1968 Commonwealth Bill was (a) true then; (b) nearest to the situation to-day.

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN)

It is not entirely clear whether the Question relates to people who are entitled to be registered as citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies, or to people who are already such citizens but have not taken out the United Kingdom passports for which they are eligible. In the former category are people in Crown service under Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The number of such people in the following Commonwealth countries are estimated to be:—

(a) Cyprus 6,500
(b) India 500
(c) Mauritius 500
(d) Singapore 15,000
(e) Malta 4,500

In other Commonwealth and foreign countries the number is negligible.

No figures are available of women in Commonwealth and foreign countries who are entitled to be registered at citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies by virtue of their marriage to a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies.

No estimates of citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies in foreign and independent Commonwealth countries who have not taken out United Kingdom passports have been made in the last two years.