Part 1Nationality

1 Naturalisation: knowledge of language and society

(1)

The following shall be inserted after the word “and” after paragraph 1(1)(c) of Schedule 1 to the British Nationality Act 1981 (c. 61) (requirements for naturalisation)—

“(ca)

that he has sufficient knowledge about life in the United Kingdom; and”.

(2)

In paragraph 2(e) of that Schedule (waiver)—

(a)

for “the requirement specified in paragraph 1(1)(c)” there shall be substituted “ either or both of the requirements specified in paragraph 1(1)(c) and (ca) ”, and

(b)

for “expect him to fulfil it” there shall be substituted “ expect him to fulfil that requirement or those requirements ”.

(3)

The following shall be inserted after section 41(1)(b) of that Act (regulations)—

“(ba)

for determining whether a person has sufficient knowledge of a language for the purpose of an application for naturalisation;

(bb)

for determining whether a person has sufficient knowledge about life in the United Kingdom for the purpose of an application for naturalisation;”.

(4)

The following shall be inserted after section 41(1) of that Act—

“(1A)

Regulations under subsection (1)(ba) or (bb) may, in particular—

(a)

make provision by reference to possession of a specified qualification;

(b)

make provision by reference to possession of a qualification of a specified kind;

(c)

make provision by reference to attendance on a specified course;

(d)

make provision by reference to attendance on a course of a specified kind;

(e)

make provision by reference to a specified level of achievement;

(f)

enable a person designated by the Secretary of State to determine sufficiency of knowledge in specified circumstances;

(g)

enable the Secretary of State to accept a qualification of a specified kind as evidence of sufficient knowledge of a language.”