§ Mr. John Fraserasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the principles which guide him in deciding whether or not to exercise his discretion to grant British citizenship to a Commonwealth citizen who has resided in the United Kingdom for less than five years.
§ Mr. LaneThe power given in the British Nationality Act, 1948, to grant registration as a citizen of the United Kingdom and colonies after a shorter period of ordinary residence than five years is exercisable only in the special circumstances of a particular case; and in practice it is exercised sparingly. In considering applications for the exercise of this power my right hon. Friend takes careful account of all relevant factors, such as previous connection with the United Kingdom, family unity and grounds of a compassionate nature.
§ Mr. John Fraserasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to enable British protected persons who are admitted to the United Kingdom to register as British subjects in the same manner as Commonwealth citizens.