Blair hints at nationality rule change for Commonwealth troops

LONDON: Prime Minister Tony Blair indicated on Wednesday that his government could act within weeks to make it easier for personnel from the Commonwealth serving in the British armed forces to become citizens.

His comment came in the wake of the government's announcement Tuesday that British troops in conflict zones would get a cash bonus to wipe out their tax bill.

Becoming a British citizen currently requires a five-year residency period but personnel in the armed forces cannot qualify this way, a ministry of defence spokeswoman said.

Blair was asked about financial help for British troops in warzones at Prime Minister's Questions, the weekly half-hour question and answer session with lawmakers at Britain's lower parliamentary chamber, the House of Commons.

And he responded: "There is another issue as well, which is a specific issue about soldiers who fight for our armed forces from Commonwealth countries and who face difficulties on naturalisation in respect of residents' requirements.

"This is, again, something we want to look at as a matter of urgency and I hope we can announce changes to this in the next few weeks."

There are around 7,000 Commonwealth personnel in the British armed forces, many of whom are Fijians serving in the army.

Last year, Private Johnson Beharry, from the Commonwealth country of Grenada, became the first man since 1982 to be awarded the Victoria Cross, Britain's highest military decoration for valour.

He was honoured for twice saving members of his unit from ambushes in Iraq.