HC Deb 25 October 1989 vol 158 c490W
50. Mr. Alton

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the implications of Portugal's decision to grant full citizenship and right of abode to the people of Macao.

Mr. Maude

There has been no such decision. Portugal grants automatic full citizenship and right of abode only to people born in Portuguese territory of Portuguese parents. The 1981 Portuguese Nationality Act ended the automatic right to Portuguese nationality of children born of non-Portuguese parents in Macao. It is estimated that less than 20 per cent. of Macao residents have the right of abode in Portugal.