§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the special privileges which are available to citizens of the Republic of Ireland but not to nationals of other European Economic Community countries when in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. MayhewUnder section 2 of the Ireland Act 1949, citizens of the Republic of Ireland resident in the United Kingdom are not regarded as aliens. The rights and privileges which they, and not the citizens of other European Community countries resident here, possess as a result of this status include voting and candidature at elections; eligibility for membership of the Privy Council, both Houses of Parliament, and local authorities; jury service; recruitment to the Armed Forces, the Civil Service, the police and the Bank of England; and acquisition of citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies.