§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the obtaining of a certificate of naturalisation from a Principal Secretary of State as a British subject by an alien is a condition precedent to becoming a naturalised British subject, although the applicant for naturalisation may have resided in the United Kingdom or served under the Crown the period which may render him qualified for naturalisation under the provisions of the Naturalisation Act of 1870; whether. the Secretary of State can give or withhold the certificate of naturalisation at his discretion; whether, in the event of refusal to grant the certificate, the Secretary of State is obliged to state the grounds of refusal; and is there any, and, if so, what appeal from the decision of the Secretary of State refusing to grant the certificate of naturalisation as a British subject to an alien who has fulfilled the statutory conditions qualifying him for naturalisation.
§ MR. JESSE COLLINGSThe answers to all the hon. Member's questions may be put together shortly as follows: An alien who is a male and of full age can only become a naturalised 1186 British subject in the United Kingdom under the provisions of a Personal Act of Parliament, or by receiving a certificate from a Secretary of State. Such certificates may be given or refused by the Secretary of State at his discretion, without reasons assigned and without appeal.