§ Dr. MarekTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 12 May 2000.Official Report, column 496W, if he will list the principles to be addressed in the Overseas Territories Bill. [123507]
§ Mr. BattleThe key principles will amend the 1981 British Nationality Act and build on the provisions made in relation to the Falkland Islands by the British Nationality (Falkland Islands) Act 1983. They are
the automatic acquisition of British citizenship for existing British Dependent Territories citizens (BDTC) from a qualifying territory at commencement of the Act and for those born in an overseas territory after commencement;acquisition by discretionary registration for those acquiring BDTC by registration or naturalisation after commencement;BDTC status to continue in parallel with British citizenship with provision to renounce British citizenship acquired under the Act in favour of remaining solely a BDTC.