With opposing views expressed, I hope to be able satisfy everybody. I should explain first that my enthusiastic nodding represented not necessarily government policy but the experience of someone who has spent most of his life in the trade union movement, a lot of it as a full-time officer and...

With opposing views expressed, I hope to be able satisfy everybody. I should explain first that my enthusiastic nodding represented not necessarily government policy but the experience of someone who has spent most of his life in the trade union movement, a lot of it as a full-time officer and...

During the hour and a half that we spent discussing the previous group of amendments, we identified and talked through this issue, recognised that it is work in progress and gave assurances that it will come to law only after noble Lords have had the opportunity to judge and make...

During the hour and a half that we spent discussing the previous group of amendments, we identified and talked through this issue, recognised that it is work in progress and gave assurances that it will come to law only after noble Lords have had the opportunity to judge and make...

Under the existing law it is the languages expressed in existing legislation. In future it will be the languages described in the legislation to come. Additionally, the requirement does not apply to those aged over 65 or under 18. I take the point made by the noble Lord, Lord Brooke,...

Under the existing law it is the languages expressed in existing legislation. In future it will be the languages described in the legislation to come. Additionally, the requirement does not apply to those aged over 65 or under 18. I take the point made by the noble Lord, Lord Brooke,...

I realise that, looking at Clause 41 the basic intention does not appear obvious. However, the length of the clause is not an attempt to muddy the water; it is simply needed to cover all the previous pieces of nationality law that have been forged in an applicant’s lifetime, which...

I realise that, looking at Clause 41 the basic intention does not appear obvious. However, the length of the clause is not an attempt to muddy the water; it is simply needed to cover all the previous pieces of nationality law that have been forged in an applicant’s lifetime, which...

I am grateful to noble Lords for raising this issue concerning the former colony of Hong Kong. I join the noble Lord, Lord Hylton, and others in commending the endurance of the noble Lord, Lord Avebury, and his commitment to end what he sees as an injustice. However, I am...

I am grateful to noble Lords for raising this issue concerning the former colony of Hong Kong. I join the noble Lord, Lord Hylton, and others in commending the endurance of the noble Lord, Lord Avebury, and his commitment to end what he sees as an injustice. However, I am...

I am feeling slightly wounded. I did not say that I was ignoring the argument. I said that the noble Lord had put forward a number of cases and I suggested a meeting—it does not have to be in Liverpool; it can be in London—so that the methodology, the casework...

I am feeling slightly wounded. I did not say that I was ignoring the argument. I said that the noble Lord had put forward a number of cases and I suggested a meeting—it does not have to be in Liverpool; it can be in London—so that the methodology, the casework...

On the noble Lord’s last point, people who have chosen to reside in other member states of the United Nations or beyond will have residential status in those states and may indeed have the opportunity to take on the country’s nationality. On this occasion, I was not declaring a policy...

On the noble Lord’s last point, people who have chosen to reside in other member states of the United Nations or beyond will have residential status in those states and may indeed have the opportunity to take on the country’s nationality. On this occasion, I was not declaring a policy...

I note the noble Lord’s comments. It may be that I led him to rise a moment or two before he heard something which would be more to his satisfaction in the statement I am completing. There are also extensive avenues by which a child born stateless can acquire a...

I note the noble Lord’s comments. It may be that I led him to rise a moment or two before he heard something which would be more to his satisfaction in the statement I am completing. There are also extensive avenues by which a child born stateless can acquire a...

With respect to the noble Baroness, I do not believe that that actually explains clearly to the would-be citizen why active citizenship is a key part of the path. Therefore, it would not have the desired effect of the encouragement that we want to give. I suspect that it is...

With respect to the noble Baroness, I do not believe that that actually explains clearly to the would-be citizen why active citizenship is a key part of the path. Therefore, it would not have the desired effect of the encouragement that we want to give. I suspect that it is...

I am prepared to take on board any suggestions that people have for the name. Those of our colleagues in the Home Office who have considered many names already will be delighted to have those suggestions added. I am sure that, if we can find a name that satisfies a...

I am prepared to take on board any suggestions that people have for the name. Those of our colleagues in the Home Office who have considered many names already will be delighted to have those suggestions added. I am sure that, if we can find a name that satisfies a...

The noble Lord makes a very good point. If we could have a word that demonstrates that this is positive, that would be helpful. I am more than happy to repeat the assertion that I made that any suggestion for names given in writing or orally will be taken on...

The noble Lord makes a very good point. If we could have a word that demonstrates that this is positive, that would be helpful. I am more than happy to repeat the assertion that I made that any suggestion for names given in writing or orally will be taken on...

These amendments, tabled in the name of my noble friend Lord West, make changes to Clauses 37, 38, 44 and 45. The Government regret the omission of these clauses in the earlier published Bill. Amendments 50 and 53 amend Clause 37 to provide that, on the date of the application...

These amendments, tabled in the name of my noble friend Lord West, make changes to Clauses 37, 38, 44 and 45. The Government regret the omission of these clauses in the earlier published Bill. Amendments 50 and 53 amend Clause 37 to provide that, on the date of the application...

Amendment 50 50: Clause 37, page 27, line 12, after second "leave," insert "a qualifying CTA entitlement,"

Amendment 50 50: Clause 37, page 27, line 12, after second "leave," insert "a qualifying CTA entitlement,"

I note the noble and learned Baroness’s comments with interest and respect for her knowledge on these issues. If I had to give an example, I would cite someone working for a company that goes bankrupt. If the person came in with skills and could soon obtain employment with another...

I note the noble and learned Baroness’s comments with interest and respect for her knowledge on these issues. If I had to give an example, I would cite someone working for a company that goes bankrupt. If the person came in with skills and could soon obtain employment with another...

I thank Members of the Committee for that contribution. I am afraid that I am going to disappoint the noble Lord, Lord Avebury. As I said, we are changing the way that migrants progress to citizenship. We are creating a clearer journey towards becoming a British citizen by putting in...

I thank Members of the Committee for that contribution. I am afraid that I am going to disappoint the noble Lord, Lord Avebury. As I said, we are changing the way that migrants progress to citizenship. We are creating a clearer journey towards becoming a British citizen by putting in...

When I read my notes and attempted to study the background to these amendments, I gave my officials forewarning that, when questioned, I would certainly offer the facility of writing in greater detail to expand on what is relatively clear in meaning but seems incredibly complicated in writing. We do...

When I read my notes and attempted to study the background to these amendments, I gave my officials forewarning that, when questioned, I would certainly offer the facility of writing in greater detail to expand on what is relatively clear in meaning but seems incredibly complicated in writing. We do...

The point that the noble Lord raises about weekends in Paris, as he seductively suggests, should be considered further. I will so do, and I therefore hope that Amendment 61, which the Government are at this stage resisting, will not be moved and that the government amendment commends itself to...

The point that the noble Lord raises about weekends in Paris, as he seductively suggests, should be considered further. I will so do, and I therefore hope that Amendment 61, which the Government are at this stage resisting, will not be moved and that the government amendment commends itself to...

Let us discuss the missing paper first. I can give noble Lords an assurance that it was placed in the Library. Indeed, I was rather surprised, not to say perturbed, when I heard that the noble Baroness, Lady Howe, had not been able to get a copy of it during...

Let us discuss the missing paper first. I can give noble Lords an assurance that it was placed in the Library. Indeed, I was rather surprised, not to say perturbed, when I heard that the noble Baroness, Lady Howe, had not been able to get a copy of it during...

I am not necessarily saying that that would be the case. The design group will work on this. Undoubtedly, the design group will discuss with the organisations that it represents what would be, in each case, a considered amount of voluntary activity. We have to avoid, on the one hand,...

I am not necessarily saying that that would be the case. The design group will work on this. Undoubtedly, the design group will discuss with the organisations that it represents what would be, in each case, a considered amount of voluntary activity. We have to avoid, on the one hand,...

I thank the noble Lord for the reminder and apologise for not dealing with that question. It will be covered with the second amendment. To return to the first, we are anxious not to exclude small organisations for which people may volunteer. Therefore, one of the suggestions from the paper...

I thank the noble Lord for the reminder and apologise for not dealing with that question. It will be covered with the second amendment. To return to the first, we are anxious not to exclude small organisations for which people may volunteer. Therefore, one of the suggestions from the paper...