SECTION 4a OF THE BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT 1981

Early day motion 1518, tabled 6 July 1998 by Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 28 members.

That this House notes with concern the impact of Section 4a of the British Nationality Act 1981 on children born to British citizens working overseas on supplemented contracts from the Overseas Development Agency and quangos; notes that these children are considered British citizens by descent and are therefore unable to transmit their citizenship automatically to a second generation; further notes that children born to British citizens working overseas as TCOs and seconded civil servants enjoy full rights to British citizenship otherwise than by descent; and urges the Government to amend the British Nationality Act 1981 to remove this unfair and discriminatory distinction.

Signatures by party: Labour 13, Liberal Democrat 13, Conservative 1, UUP 1.