§ 72. Mr. BUTCHERasked the Home Secretary whether he will state the nature of the public advantage alleged to have been gained by granting certificates of naturalisation to nearly 100 alien enemies of German nationality since the commencement of the War; and, in cases where no public advantage was so gained, what was the nature of the special reasons why such certificates were granted?
§ Mr. McKENNAI can only answer the question by giving typical examples. On the point of public advantage I may give as an instance the case of a person whose naturalisation was recommended to me by a public Department as necessary to secure his services in work essential for this country. The other reasons referred to would arise where there is a combination of such circumstances as long residence, complete identification with English life, a British wife and British-born children, and sons serving in the English Army.
§ 73. Mr. BUTCHERasked the Home Secretary whether German alien enemies to whom certificates of naturalisation have been granted since the commencement of the War are allowed to leave this country on the same terms as natural-born British subjects; whether they are searched before leaving this country; and whether they are permitted to take away with them any documents, papers, photographs, plans, or other information they may choose without search or examination?
§ Mr. McKENNACertificates of naturalisation are granted only to persons who make a statutory declaration of their intention to reside in this country, and the Foreign Office therefore, as a rule, refuses passports to recently naturalised persons. If any such person is allowed to leave the country he is liable to search and to the examination of his papers and luggage.
§ Mr. BUTCHERIs a search always made, and cannot British subjects go to Scandinavia without a special permit?
§ Mr. McKENNAI am quite unable to say whether the officers search in every case, but the passenger is liable to be searched.
§ Mr. MACMASTERCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the person applying for naturalisation is or is not bound to announce his foreign nationality?
§ Mr. McKENNAI will deal with that on a later question.
§ 74. Mr. BUTCHERasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the new revelations of German character which are continuously being furnished, he will give directions that no further certificates of naturalisation shall be granted to German alien enemies, or that, at any rate, no such certificates shall be granted to such persons unless they prove that they have effectually divested themselves of their German nationality and no longer owe allegiance to the German Emperor?
§ Mr. McKENNAMy experience of the strong reasons which arise from time to time for naturalising persons of German origin shows that it would not be of advantage to lay down a rule that no such persons are to be naturalised. The conditions under which any such persons are now naturalised—including the most exhaustive investigations—secure so far as is humanly possible that they have completely identified themselves with this country and are under no obligations to their original country.
§ Mr. BUTCHERDoes the right hon. Gentleman satisfy himself that these alien enemies have renounced their allegiance to the German Emperor before he gives them certificates of naturalisation?
§ Mr. McKENNAThey have to swear allegiance to His Majesty. Of course, as far as we can, we do satisfy ourselves; but if there is untruth, deception, or any other means of avoiding speaking the truth, it is impossible to say in every case that you can be absolutely certain. So far as human ingenuity can go we do assure ourselves of the bona fides in every case.
§ Sir E. CARSONDoes the right hon. Gentleman require them to sign a statement saying that they have renounced allegiance to the German Emperor?
§ Mr. McKENNAI will inquire further as to the actual statement which they have to sign. I am not sure whether there is any statement in that precise form.
Sir H. DALZIELIs it not the case that a German becoming naturalised here can apply to Germany and get denationalisation papers? I have often seen them. Does the right hon. Gentleman not ask for that before he naturalises them?
§ Mr. McKENNAI will inquire further into the actual steps taken.
§ Sir J. D. REESDoes the German Government recognise the renunciation by a German subject of his German nationality?
§ Mr. McKENNAI am not an expert in German law and am quite unable to answer that question.
§ Sir J. D. REESDoes not the right hon. Gentleman know that it is the case that the German Government does not recognise the competency of a German subject to renounce his nationality?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have been informed differently, but am quite willing to accept that statement on the hon. Member's authority?
§ Sir E. CARSONThe Germans have given such orders of denationalisation themselves.
§ 75. Mr. BUTCHERasked the Home Secretary whether he will obtain information as to the number of naturalised Germans in this country who still owe allegiance to the German Emperor, and will he communicate such information to the House?
§ Mr. McKENNAIt is, in the nature of the case, impossible to obtain trustworthy information on this point either from the suspected persons themselves or from the German Government; but I have no reason to suppose that there is any considerable number of persons in the position indicated.
§ Mr. BUTCHERWill the right hon. Gentleman inquire from the naturalised aliens themselves for what it is worth?
§ Mr. McKENNAThat is done.
§ 76. Mr. BUTCHERasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will grant a Return showing the names of all aliens to whom certificates of naturalisation or readmission to British nationality have been issued since the 31st December, 1914, giving the country and place of residence of the person naturalised or readmitted, in continuation of Parliamentary Paper, No. 156, of the present Session?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe Parliamentary Paper referred to is an annual Return. The hon. and learned Member will find the particulars he desires of persons naturalised since 31st December in the monthly lists published in the "London Gazette."