FIRM STEPS: New immigrants will have to integrate with British society

BEING BRITISH « UK residents seeking British citizenship will have to display fluency in the English language. « They will have to show an understanding of British society and civic structures. « They will take their citizenship oath at a formal ceremony. « New citizens will be encouraged to play an economic and political role in society.

What does Britishness mean? For former Tory chairman Norman Tebbit, it was perhaps defined by the infamous "cricket test". That is, which team does the immigrant community support when their country of origin plays the English team? Many UK residents of Asian origin objected to having their loyalties called into question. But the rise of Nasser Hussain-of Indian origin-as captain of the English cricket team put an end to the soreness, and gave a fillip to integration.

Now, however, the question has cropped up again. Led by an academic professor, a team of British citizens with origins in various countries will ponder it, and then come up with the answers, some or all of which will be brought together to test the Britishness of aspiring immigrants to the UK.

At the behest of Home Secretary David Blunkett, this independent group has been created to raise the status of British citizenship. The Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill, currently before the House of Lords, will require UK residents seeking British citizenship to be tested in the English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic languages, they will be required to show an understanding of British society and civic structures and to take citizenship oath at a formal ceremony.

The newly created group, headed by Professor Bernard Crick, an expert on citizenship politics, will advise Blunkett on the contents of the new citizenship courses, ceremony and "Life in the UK" naturalisation tests. The group will soon meet for the first time.

Though critics charge that Blunkett's new steps border on racism, the home secretary remains unfazed. "Becoming a British citizen is a significant life event," he has said. "The Government intends to make gaining British citizenship meaningful and celebratory rather than simply a bureaucratic process. New citizenship ceremonies will help people mark this important event."

According to Blunkett, British citizenship is meant to positively embrace the diversity of background, culture and faiths that living in modern Britain involves. Those who become British citizens will be encouraged to play an active economic and political role in society, and have a sense of belonging to a wider community.

"I have asked this new advisory group, which brings together independent experts in citizenship, integration and education from England, Scotland and Wales, to consider how best to achieve the Government's plans to promote language skills and practical knowledge about the UK for those seeking to become British citizens," he reiterated.

Professor Crick, who has helped put citizenship training on the national curriculum, will lead his team to form content for the courses planned to help people learn about UK society. The team will also suggest methods of assessing knowledge of life in the UK, advise the home secretary on the form of the citizenship ceremony and explore the possibility of setting up voluntary mentoring schemes to help immigrants integrate with their local community.

The White Paper, "Secure Borders, Safe Haven", had set out the Government's commitment to enhance the acquisition of British citizenship some months ago. The legislative aspects of that reform are now being taken forward in the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill.

With all these new hurdles to overcome, at least one very British trait is likely to be evident in great measure among the new aspiring immigrants-that of the stiff upper lip.

-Ishara Bhasi