HC Deb 16 March 1916 vol 80 cc2264-5
93. Sir R. COOPER

asked if a naturalised German, who had been chauffeur to the Kaiser when on a visit to this country, was keeping a garage under his own name at Penrith when War broke out; is he still resident in Penrith and running motor cars though the name of the garage has been changed; and, if so, is this known to and approved by the military authorities?

Mr. TENNANT

The person alluded to is presumably Johan Wilhelm Kieser, who has been in the United Kingdom over ten years, and was naturalised in January, 1913. He was, up to about 1911, head chauffeur to Lord Lonsdale, and since that date has owned a garage at Penrith. I do not know whether he has ever been driver to the Kaiser. There is no evidence that he has any inclination to favour enemy interests. As, however, he is a man of alien enemy birth, and as his occupation might give him opportunity for mischief, if his inclinations were hostile, the local military authorities were instructed to consult the police and furnish a special report about him. They do not recommend that any restrictions should be placed upon his movements.