HC Deb 26 October 1916 vol 86 c1285
33. Colonel GRIFFITHS

asked the Home Secretary if he will state the number, if any, and names of any Civil servants employed in his Department who are of enemy origin; and, in the event of there being such employé s of enemy origin, if he will for the period of the War take necessary steps to replace them by men of undoubted British origin?

Mr. SAMUEL

All persons employed in the Home Office are natural-born British subjects, and I believe that there is no one now working in the office whose father was not a natural-born British subject.

Mr. OUTHWAITE

Have they recently appointed a Judge-Advocate-General who was born in Germany and is an official of the right hon. Gentleman's Department?

Mr. SPEAKER

That does not arise out of the question.

Colonel GRIFFITHS

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the reason why I put that question?

Mr. SPEAKER

The right hon. Gentleman cannot possibly know what is in the mind of the hon. Member.

38. Mr. PETO

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fact that a girl of German nationality, named Bastendorf, is employed at the Command Pay Office, Regent Street, under Major Donajowski; and whether, considering the confidential nature of the information dealt with in this office, he will see that she is removed from this position and that in future persons of alien enemy nationality are not employed in any capacity in positions where they can obtain information of use to the enemy?

Mr. FORSTER

My hon. Friend will be glad to learn that this girl's father is serving in the Royal Field Artillery in France. Her grandfather fought in the Franco-Prussian War on the French side. After that war her grandparents came to England and have resided here since.