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Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill [HL]

I recognise the noble Lord’s frustration and, to some extent, I share it in having to deliver that unpalatable message. On this occasion, perhaps I may say that we are clear that a person who wants to be naturalised under Section 6(2) should demonstrate that they have a relevant family association. However, we recognise that in some cases, limited cases, that connection may have ended, and it would be wrong to refuse an application for citizenship because of that. As I said, we expect that that discretion will be used only in exceptional cases. However, an example where we might apply it—this is the obvious one—would be where a person is bereaved shortly before the qualifying period was due to be completed. I am sorry that I cannot go further than that, but I take the admonishment to heart and will seek to provide the information at the earliest possible opportunity.