HL Deb 05 March 2002 vol 632 cc8-9WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 12 February (WA 133), whether, in the spirit of the Belfast Agreement and in the interests of equality and parity, British passports should be made available to residents of Northern Ireland. [HL2880]

The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn)

As I indicated in the Answer to which the noble Lord refers, we do not believe that reciprocity for the residents of Ireland is necessary or acceptable as a basis on which to determine eligibility for British nationality and have no plans to amend the law in this respect.