Clause 39
Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill [Lords]
1:00 pm
Paul Rowen (Rochdale, Liberal Democrat)
Does the Minister not accept that the link already exists? Indefinite leave to remain does not grant one British citizenship. What the Bill seeks to do—in the parts and sections that we support—is to provide a much clearer route to what has to be done for British citizenship. But the change that is being proposed will make the route longer—the point the hon. Member for Dover was making. Under certain categories, someone marrying a British citizen and coming to live in this country will be faced with a longer time period. One can accept the principle of a route, but for those who are already on the route, why should the time to complete it be lengthened?