§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the practical consequences for British Asian passport holders and their families of the abolition of the special voucher system; and [HL5175]
Whether they will ensure British Asian passport holders and their families who had previously been eligible under the special voucher scheme will not suffer any adverse consequences as a result of the scheme's abolition on 5 March during the transitional period prior to the enactment of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill. [HL5176]
§ Lord FilkinHolders of British Overseas Citizen passports have not been able to apply for settlement under the special voucher scheme since its abolition on 5 March. If they currently wish to apply for settlement here, they have to qualify under the general provisions of the Immigration Rules. However, an announcement was made on 4 July that an amendment will be introduced to the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill giving British Overseas Citizens the right to register as British citizens if they hold no other nationality and have not renounced any other nationality. Until this comes into effect, sympathetic consideration will be given to applications made outside the rules in cases of hardship where the applicant is solely British and has never renounced another nationality.