Applicants for British passports to face test in history

BRITAIN: Immigrants who want a UK passport should be able to answer simple questions about British history, Home Office experts…

BRITAIN: Immigrants who want a UK passport should be able to answer simple questions about British history, Home Office experts said yesterday.

A blueprint for a new "Britishness test" rejected making foreigners learn a host of key dates from Britain's thousands of years of heritage.

A version of the proposals published in January was criticised for concentrating on how to claim benefits and use the NHS, and for insisting that learning history "should not be an imposed pre-condition".

Unveiling the recommendations - designed to make people feel more proud of becoming new British citizens - Home Secretary Mr David Blunkett said: "Knowing the six wives of Henry VIII doesn't constitute being a good citizen. I don't think that history is about being able to recite the kings and queens.

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"I think there will be points that everybody who is learning about Britain would need to know about. You would need to know about when Britain was last invaded if you were touching on what happened in . . . 20th century wars."

He added: "I want to see a greater pride from British people about their own culture and identity.

"On the Liberal Left, celebrating Irish, Scottish and Welsh culture is seen as a good thing. But there's something almost apologetic about the English, which I'm seeking to overcome."

The recommendations were drawn up by a panel chaired by academic Sir Bernard Crick.

A record 120,000 immigrants were granted British citizenship in 2002.

Sir Bernard said: "They would be fairly simple questions on that kind of level. If schoolchildren can answer these sorts of questions I see no reason why adults shouldn't."

Applicants should also have free lessons to improve their English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic. Mr Blunkett said the working group had recommended that free tuition be available.

Sir Bernard, who was Mr Blunkett's university tutor and mentor, said: "We do not want the burden to be onerous but plainly citizenship is more esteemed and valued when it is earned and not given."

Handbooks prepared for all citizenship applicants should have a section entitled "The Making of the United Kingdom", today's report said.

It should feature a section on British institutions including the monarchy, prime minister, parliament and the cabinet, political parties since 1945, elections, devolved administrations, the civil service, the Commonwealth and "values of toleration, fair play, freedom of speech and of the press".

The report said the test should also include questions on etiquette, good neighbourliness, the changing role of women, sexual equality, youth culture and national holidays.

Mr Blunkett praised the way the Jewish community, for example, had integrated into British life.

"Those people who have done best in our society, such as the Jewish community, have done so by taking on the language and being prepared to integrate in the life of Britain." - (PA)