HC Deb 08 February 1983 vol 36 c315W
Mr. Shersby

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children born to alien parents temporarily resident in the United Kingdom became British subjects by birth during each of the past five years.

Mr. Waddington

The information requested is not available.

Mr. Shersby

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the likely number of children who will be born to alien parents temporarily resident in the United Kingdom during 1983 who, as a result of the passage of the British Nationality Act, will not now achieve British nationality by birth but who will instead take their parents' nationality.

Mr. Waddington

In 1979, between 59,000 and 64,000 children were born in the United Kingdom to parents neither of whom was born in the British Isles. If in the future only five to 10 per cent. of such children are born to parents neither of whom is settled here or is a British citizen at the time of the birth 3,000 to 6,500 children could be born in the United Kingdom each year who will not be British citizens at birth. The extent to which such children take their parents' nationalities will depend on the citizenship law of the countries involved.