HL Deb 17 July 1973 vol 344 c1132WA
THE EARL OF SELKIRK

asked Her Majesty's Government:

To state the current definition of "a British subject".

THE MINISTER OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (VISCOUNT COLVILLE OF CULROSS)

A citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies or of a country mentioned in Section 1(3) of the British Nationality Act 1948 (as amended) has the status of a British subject by virtue of that citizenship. In addition the status is held by:

  1. (a) British subjects without citizenship (Sections 13 and 16 of the Act of 1948);
  2. (b) citizens of the Republic of Ireland who have claimed to remain British subjects under Section 2 of the Act of 1948; and
  3. (c) women who have been registered as British subjects under Section 1 of the British Nationality Act 1965 by virtue of marriage to men in categories (a) or (b) above.