§ 41. Mr. HOLTasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that Captain A. B. Clopet was a Frenchman by birth, but has been for some time a naturalised British subject; that at the outbreak of war Captain Clopet was in command of the steamer "Southport," which was captured by the German 554 Cruiser "Geier" in the Pacific Ocean, and that Captain Clopet and his crew recovered the "Southport" from her captors and brought her into an Australian port; whether he is aware that Captain Clopet was commended by the Admiralty for his conduct in this matter and publicly presented at Cardiff with a silver salver given by the British Government; whether he is aware that in consequence of the rule that the Admiralty's secret instructions are only to be issued to British subjects whose parents were British subjects at the time of their birth, Captain Clopet, who had meanwhile obtained the command of the steamer "Rio Pirahy," was removed from the command of his ship at Leghorn; will he say what happened to the "Rio Pirahy"; and whether the Admiralty will reconsider their decision to prevent Captain Clopet from earning a living in his profession?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)Representations were made to us in respect of the application of the Admiralty regulation, to which my hon. Friend refers to the case of Captain Clopet. The view was taken that in the case of Allied born persons, exception to the rule might in a proper case be made. On consideration of the matter, it was decided last month that there is no objection to Captain Clopet commanding a British merchant vessel, whether on Government service or not.
§ Mr. HOLTAs the right hon. Gentleman has agreed to reconsider the application of the rule with regard to Allied persons will he also reconsider the rule as regards all British-born persons and put them in the same position as Allied persons?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI cannot add to the reply I gave on 15th February. I cannot undertake to reopen the case.
§ Mr. HOLTAre we to understand, although the right hon. Gentleman told us on 15th February he could not make any relaxation of the rule for any person, he is now considering a relaxation of the rule in the case of individuals born in Allied countries, and refuses to reconsider it in the case of persons born in this country?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThat is not really so. In the original case the captain was of enemy origin.
§ Dr. MACNAMARAHere you have a captain of Allied origin, and that is why we are reconsidering it.
§ Mr. HOLTWhat I am asking is will he treat any person who is a natural-born British subject in precisely the same manner as any person born in France?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am afraid I cannot add to the answer I gave on 15th February.
Mr. RUNCIMANThis is not a personal matter, and what one wants to know is what is the general rule of the Admiralty. Does the Admiralty refuse to treat a natural-born Englishman in the same way as that in which they will treat a natural-born Frenchman in command of a British vessel to the detriment of the British-born captain?
§ Captain Sir OWEN PHILIPPSMay I ask whether it does not affect the matter as to who the parents were of the child before he was born in England, and whether the parents were English or of some other nationality?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI will send my right hon. Friend (Mr. Runciman) a copy of the answer I gave on the 15th February.