The act was passed on 23 March 1709, which was still considered part of the year 1708 in the British calendar of the time.

[4] It was passed to allow the naturalisation of French Protestants (Huguenots) who had fled to Britain since the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685.

A counter-argument is presented in the preamble of the Act, that "the increase of people is a means of advancing the wealth and strength of a nation".

Following the passage of the Act, up to 12,000 Palatines, Suabians, and other German Lutherans arrived in Britain between May and June 1709, owing to war in those places.

[6] The section dealing with naturalizing the children of British subjects born abroad was, however, not repealed.