HC Deb 03 February 1981 vol 998 cc71-2W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the rights attached to the respective categories of citizenship which fall outside the initial category of British citizenship set out in the British Nationality Bill.

Mr. Timothy Raison

The British Nationality Bill provides that citizens of the British Dependent Territories, British overseas citizens and British subjects are to be Commonwealth citizens. They would therefore be entitled to any rights conferred by United Kingdom legislation on such citizens, as well as any specifically conferred on those who hold the citizenship or status concerned. British protected persons would, as now, not be Commonwealth citizens, but would have access to consular and passport facilities.

Mr. Michael Brown

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reply he has sent to the statement issued by the Roman Catholic hierarchy of England and Wales on the Government's policy of nationality.

Mr. Raison

My right hon. Friend wrote to the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster on 30 January. A copy of the letter was released to the press and it has also been placed in the Library of the House.

Forward to