HC Deb 28 July 1976 vol 916 cc298-9W
Mr. Mates

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give details of the procedures for granting United Kingdom passports to the children and grandchildren of those who retained United Kingdom citizenship at the time of the independence treaties with East African countries; and how many such passports have been granted to such children in those countries since that time.

Mr. Luard

United Kingdom passports are granted to citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies, in East African countries as elsewhere, on proof of identity and of national status. A man who became a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies by reason of his connection with an East African dependent territory can, if he retained that status after independence, transmit it to children born subsequently. His grandchildren will generally not qualify if born in East Africa. The position of British protected persons is broadly similar.

Retention or loss of a United Kingdom national status depends on the combined effect of United Kingdom legislation, primarily the Independence Acts, and the citizenship provisions in the Constitution of the newly independent country.

Statistics of passport issues by national origin of father are not available.