§ 57. Mr. PETOasked the Prime Minister whether the Canadian Government have passed legislation withdrawing naturalisation from enemy aliens who have been naturalised during the last fifteen years; if so, what prevents our taking the same course, so far as the citizenship of Great Britain, in contradistinction to the citizenship of the British Empire is concerned; and whether he intends to introduce legislation on the subject or proceed by Order in Council under the Defence of the Realm Act?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt is understood that the Canadian Government have taken power to revoke certificates of local naturalisation obtained fraudulently, corruptly, or otherwise improperly, by persons of alien enemy origin, and specially in cases where the certificates were issued since the 1st August, 1909, and the holder 857 is about to leave Canada. This power does not extend to certificates of Imperial naturalisation. It is intended to deal with the whole question of the revocation of certificates of naturalisation by legislation, on the lines commended by the Imperial War Conference, so soon as the assent of the Dominions to the form of the proposed legislation is secured.
§ Mr. PETOIs it merely the necessary time which must elapse for communication between this country and the various Dominions that settles the date when we may expect action to be taken?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI know of no other difficulty. We are awaiting replies from the Dominions.