New Clause 2 - Abandoned infants
British Overseas Territories Bill [Lords]
11:00 am
Mr Ben Bradshaw (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Foreign & Commonwealth Office; Exeter, Labour)
In the case of any child whose origin is uncertain, the question is whether they were abandoned in this country. The Bill brings the British overseas territories into the same system as we enjoy in this country, where the assumption is that the child has a right to be a British citizen; that remains the case. If a foundling is discovered with a passport, which I imagine would be rare, the assumption must be—I am taking advice from my officials— that they have another nationality, which would exclude them. They would keep their nationality.