To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a mother can require a DNA test to be undertaken to prove the paternity of her child in relation to citizenship. (84295)

[holding answer 11 July 2006]: There are no powers in the nationality legislation to this effect.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a British father is required to supply his details to enable his child to be registered as a British citizen where the mother wishes this to happen. (84296)

[holding answer 11 July 2006]: Where an application for citizenship is based on a parent's nationality or immigration status, the Home Secretary has to be satisfied on a balance of probabilities about the child's parentage and that the relevant parent has the appropriate status. In some cases there is also a statutory requirement, or an expectation, that both parents will indicate their consent to the child being registered as a British citizen. There is no power under nationality legislation, however, for the Home Secretary or one parent to compel the provision of certain information or consent by the other.