HC Deb 12 February 1981 vol 998 cc381-2W
Mr. Shersby

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Commonwealth countries determine (a) who their nationals are, and (b) how nationality is passed on from one generation to the next, according to (i) the jus soli principle, and (ii) the jus sanguinis principle; and if he will publish a list of such countries in the Official Report.

Mr. Raison

It is understood that the following Commonwealth countries adopt the principle of jus soli and confer citizenship automatically on everyone born within their territory except for the children of diplomats and enemy aliens:

  • Australia,
  • Bangladesh,
  • Barbados,
  • Botswana,
  • Canada,
  • Dominica,
  • Fiji,
  • The Gambia,
  • Grenada,
  • Guyana,
  • India,
  • Jamaica,
  • Kenya,
  • Malta,
  • Mauritius,
  • New Zealand,
  • St. Lucia,
  • St. Vincent and the Grenadines,
  • Seychelles,
  • Tanzania,
  • Trinidad and Tobago,
  • Tuvalu,
  • Zimbabwe.

The following Commonwealth countries are understood to limit the acquisition of citizenship by those born within their territory to varying degrees, which reflect to greater or lesser extent the jus sanguinis principle:

  • Bahamas,
  • Cyprus,
  • Ghana,
  • Kiribati,
  • Lesotho,
  • Malawi,
  • Malaysia,
  • Nauru,
  • New Hebrides, (Vanuatu),
  • Nigeria,
  • Papua New Guinea,
  • Sierra Leone,
  • Singapore,
  • Solomon Islands,
  • Sri Lanka,
  • Swaziland,
  • Tonga,
  • Uganda,
  • Zambia.

The arrangements for the transmission of citizenship to the children born abroad to citizens of Commonwealth countries vary considerably, and are not readily available in the form requested.

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