HC Deb 15 April 1918 vol 105 cc36-8
6. Mr. BILLING

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that there exists a floating alien population in Great Britain who change their nationality according to the political complexion of Europe from crisis to crisis; and whether, having regard to the desirability that the British Government should be able to make a distinction between enemies and friendly aliens from day to day, he will consider the practicability of issuing to every alien throughout the British Islands a passport to be shown on demand to a constable or to other duly authorised persons, such passport to contain a photograph, finger-prints, and a declaration to the effect that the holder declares his allegiance and his willingness to obey any military injunction issued by the recognised Government of the State whose nationality he, the bearer, claims?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir George Cave)

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative. Except in rare cases of doubtful nationality, there is no difficulty in ascertaining and verifying an alien's nationality.

Mr. BILLING

Are we to understand that a police constable is able to ascertain an alien's nationality simply by applying to him?

57. Mr. BILLING

asked the Prime Minister whether he is prepared by Order in Council to provide that all aliens who have changed their name by deed poll or otherwise shall revert to the name by which they were known on 31st July, 1914?

Sir G. CAVE

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. As regards alien friends, the answer is in the negative. As regards alien enemies, I would refer the hon. Member to the prohibition imposed by Article 25 a of the Aliens (Restriction) Order.

58. Mr. BILLING

asked the Prime Minister whether he is prepared by means of an Order in Council to effect for the duration of the War the denaturalisation of all persons of enemy origin?

Sir G. CAVE

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I am advised that there is no power to adopt the course suggested in the question of the hon. Member.

Mr. BILLING

Will the right hon. Gentleman take power—he is doing nearly everything else?

Mr. BUTCHER

Is the right hon. Gentleman in a position now to say when the promised Bill for altering the naturalisation law is to be introduced?

Sir G. CAVE

I hope to introduce it very soon now. I am pressing it on, and mean to press it without waiting any further for the result of the inquiries to which I referred earlier.

Mr. T. M. HEALY

Will it cover the case of aliens naturalised in the Colonies, namely, Canada and Australia?

Sir G. CAVE

The Bill is intended to deal with denaturalisation, and aliens naturalised in the Colonies are not necessarily naturalised here.

Mr. CHANCELLOR

Would Alsatians and Hanoverians be treated as of enemy origin?

Sir G. CAVE

Of course they would be.

Mr. G. TERRELL

Will the Bill deal with cases of aliens who have changed their names?

Sir G. CAVE

That question is dealt with in the answer.