2. Captain CAMPBELLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether subjects of foreign nations becoming naturalised citizens of Canada, and thereby subjects of the Crown, are denied the right to require of British Consuls proper assistance when traveling abroad; and, if so, is he prepared to take steps to ensure that such British subjects may claim such assistance?
§ Sir E. GREYThe effect of naturalisation in Canada is to make the person so naturalised a British subject within the limits of the Dominion only, and it is so stated in their certificates. Consequently they are not, strictly speaking, British subjects when beyond the limits of the Dominion. They are, however, in pursuance of the general Consular instructions, accorded the good offices of British Consular Officers in all countries. It is one of the objects of the measure foreshadowed in the Speech from the Throne at the opening of the present Session of Parliament to remove such inequalities in these matters as at present exists.
Captain CAMPBELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that many naturalised Canadians who even hold His Majesty's Commission are debarred from enjoying the full privileges of British subjects; does he think that is just and equitable, and will he endeavour to rectify it?
§ Sir E. GREYI was not aware of the particular details the hon. Member gives me, but I think he could not have caught the last part of my answer. We recognise all these inequalities ought to be removed, and legislation is foreshadowed in the speech from the Throne in order to remove them.