HC Deb 09 July 1917 vol 95 cc1582-3
6. Colonel YATE

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state how many members of the firm of Suter, Hartman, and Rahtjens, Limited, are naturalised British subjects of German nationality; how many of these have forfeited their rights to German nationality; and whether the Government will consider the question of extending the provisions of the Naturalisation Act so as not to allow naturalised German subjects the full privileges regarding Government contracts and the holding of shares, etc., that are enjoyed by British subjects of British parentage?

Mr. ROBERTS

Three naturalised British subjects of German origin, two of whom were naturalised in 1877 and the other in 1883, hold shares in the company referred to. Two of these shareholders obtained denaturalisation certificates with regard to their German nationality and I am informed that the third did not consider such a certificate necessary because he was born before 1848. I must refer the hon. and gallant Member to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary with regard to any question of amending the naturalisation law.