Immigrants will have to fall in line to get citizenship

London: The art of queuing is to be made part of the citizenship test for immigrants to Britain, under plans unveiled by a senior minister on Saturday.

Foreigners applying to settle in the UK will have to learn about the British practice of forming a line for everything from buses to sandwiches.

While the idea may sound like a joke, ministers insist they are entirely serious and want to indoctrinate immigrants more effectively into the British way of life.

They claim a lot of tension is caused by immigrants not understanding that they must wait in line for services rather than barging to the front.

This is not their fault, ministers say, but happens because in less-wealthy countries the only way to access necessities is to push yourself forward.

Phil Woolas, the immigration minister, confirmed that he was pushing the idea. He said: "The simple act of taking one's turn is one of the things that holds our country together. It is very important that newcomers take their place in queues whether it is for a bus or a cup of tea.

"It is central to the British sense of fair play and it is also better for everyone. Huge resentment is caused when people push in."