As reported by the London Times, the prime minister assured that this would be done both in the interests of British society – so that every new member is able to speak and understand the state language, and in the interests of the newlyweds themselves – so that due to ignorance of the language, the bonds of Hymen do not become slave chains for them.
However, as Vremya Novostei notes, Gordon Brown is somewhat rushing events, since discussions about whether all applicants for British citizenship must mandatory pass language tests are still ongoing in government circles. According to calculations by the British Foreign Ministry, the innovation mentioned by Gordon Brown could affect tens, if not hundreds of thousands of people. In 2006 alone, about 47,000 foreigners naturalized in the United Kingdom through marriage, more than a third of whom were from former colonies, mainly India. So far, however, it is unclear how failure in the testing might affect the fate and family happiness of visiting brides and grooms. Gordon Brown did not clarify whether this would entail an automatic refusal of a residence permit and subsequently citizenship.
Nevertheless, the prime minister's initiative may well be included in the package of amendments to migration legislation currently being prepared by the British Cabinet. However, the main innovation there will be the introduction of a new status for those arriving in the country with serious intentions. According to Lenta.ru citing The Guardian, any foreigner applying for British citizenship will have to live for one to three years in the status of a 'conditional citizen'. This kind of probationary period is necessary for the authorities to understand how well a migrant can integrate into British society and whether he or she will be a burden on the social security system, explained UK Home Secretary Jacqui Smith. It is expected that the relevant bill will be prepared by early autumn and submitted to parliament in November.
In the Federal Migration Service of Russia, they consider the requirements of their British colleagues to test applicants for citizenship quite justified and believe that Gordon Brown's initiative fits well with recent European trends. In Russia, as of late, legal immigrants also have to demonstrate their level of proficiency in Russian at a special interview. 'If foreigners planning to marry Russians come to us and if they then wish to obtain Russian citizenship, they must undergo an interview,' explained the press service of the FMS. Representatives of the agency recalled that in Russia, the procedure for obtaining citizenship also provides for a kind of probationary period, since the applicant is first issued a residence permit in Russia, and only after a few years can he apply for a full passport. 'This is a common and entirely democratic procedure,' assure representatives of the Russian migration authorities.
As for the language interview, it is practically not an obstacle. The FMS noted that everyone successfully passes the interview, because the requirements are not very strict, and the main contingent of applicants are citizens of the CIS, for whom Russian is not so foreign. 'Europeans or the same British who do not speak Russian at all come very rarely,' reported the FMS.
• It should be noted that international marriages are concluded by our compatriots not only abroad but also at home. After all, today any wedding salon can offer beautiful outfits for both the groom and the bride. And even the most demanding brides will be able to choose for themselves in the salon the most exquisite wedding dress.