asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why Home Office nationality caseworkers now require solely British nationals who ceased to be Indian citizens as set out in Section 65 of Chapter 14 Annex H of the Nationality Instructions to obtain letters confirming that they are not citizens of India, when the instructions already contain information that is sufficient to determine an applicant's eligibility for British nationality where this depends on his possession of Indian citizenship, and when written advice on this point was obtained from the Government of India in January 2006. [HL4307]

I refer the noble Lord to my previous Answer to him on 26 October 2005 (Official Report, col. WA 186). There is no legal requirement for applicants to produce letters confirming non-possession of other citizenships in support of their applications for British citizenship. For the reasons he now mentions, decisions on applications made by persons of Indian origin can normally be made without the need for such letters.

Where, however, an applicant has presented a passport or other official document indicating possession of another citizenship at the relevant date, it will be appropriate to ask him or her to obtain further clarification of status from the issuing authority.