HC Deb 07 March 1983 vol 38 c276W
32. Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give the reasons why he will not consider introducing a provision whereby persons born outside the United Kingdom may only be permitted to stand for election as a parliamentary candidate if reciprocal arrangements exist for persons born in the United Kingdom to stand for election in the country concerned.

Mr. Mayhew

Because nationality and not place of birth is the basis of the right to stand for election in the United Kingdom.