British Nationality Act 1981

HC Deb 18 June 1999 vol 333 c230W

Mr. Bob Russell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will amend the British Nationality Act 1981 to allow those born abroad to British women prior to 1 January 1983 to be deemed to have British nationality; and if he will make a statement.[87356]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

Since February 1979, minors born abroad to British mothers have been able to acquire British nationality on application. Those born after 1 January 1983 are automatically British citizens at birth. It was decided in 1981 not to make these changes retrospective. We have no plans to alter the position.