Orders of the Day — British Nationallity Bill

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 4:01 pm on 28 January 1981.

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Photo of Mr Jock Bruce-Gardyne Mr Jock Bruce-Gardyne , Knutsford 4:01, 28 January 1981

I want to raise this point before my right hon. Friend leaves the subject of civic rights. He referred to clause 47(1), which mentions British subjects and Commonwealth citizens. Some of us are concerned about the civic rights of those who are neither—that is, those who are citizens of the Irish Republic. The problem that we still face is that they are apparently to remain in the position where, because they have voting rights, they are liable to be summoned to jury service although they specifically deny allegiance to the Crown. When we are dealing, under clause 47(1), with the civic rights of British subjects and Commonwealth citizens, surely we cannot ignore the position of those who fall into neither category.