Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill [HL]

I hope that I can be more helpful on this amendment than I appear to have been on earlier ones, judging from the Committee’s reaction. Members of the Committee have referred to the transitional arrangements that we intend to put in place when the provisions of Part 2 become law. I reassure the Committee that any application for naturalisation that is received by the UKBA before the earned citizenship provisions are implemented, and which remains undecided, will be considered under existing arrangements set out in the British Nationality Act 1981; that is, the earned citizenship provisions will not be applied when the application is considered. I also advise the Committee that officials are examining what transitional arrangements will be put in place for those who are currently in the immigration system but who have yet to submit an application for indefinite leave to remain or for naturalisation. We intend to set out details of these transitional arrangements in the commencement order that gives effect to Part 2. On the point made by the noble Lord, Lord Avebury, migrants who are in the UK and have existing limited leave to enter or remain will be able, under the new system of qualifying immigration status, to count that time towards a qualifying period for naturalisation as a British citizen. I hope that with that reassurance the noble Baroness will feel able to withdraw the amendment.