Minors with Indian Nationality

HL Deb 16 November 2004 vol 666 cc134-5WA

Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 27 October (WA126) on minors with Indian nationality, whether the instruction dated 11 February 1997 by the then Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to HM High Commissioner to India, to approach the Government of India:

1. (a) sought clarification that involuntary acquisition of another citizenship does not automatically deprive an individual of Indian citizenship; and
2. (b) stated that British National (Overseas) status could be acquired exclusively by making a written application for registration for that status. [HL4884]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

The telegram of 11 February 1997 instructed the British High Commissioner to India to approach the Government of India to seek official confirmation that involuntary acquisition of another citizenship did not automatically deprive an individual of Indian citizenship.

It did not state that British National (Overseas) status could be acquired exclusively by making a written application for registration for that status.