HC Deb 17 July 1918 vol 108 cc1188-9

This Act shall have effect only during the continuance of the present War and a period of three years thereafter.—[Sir W. Dickinson.]

Brought up, and read the first time.

Sir W. DICKINSON

I beg to move, "That the Clause be read a second time."

The result of the discussions to-night gives additional reasons why we should not complicate our permanent nationality laws by Amendments made chiefly owing to the peculiar circumstances of the War. The permanent settlement of our nationality Jaws open very large and important questions, and if my proposed new Clause is accepted it will give time to reconsider the whole question.

Mr. D. MASON

I would like to support this. As the findings of the Committee to inquire into the whole subject will not be able to be embodied in this Bill by the time it becomes law, the right hon. Gentleman might see his way to accept this Clause, and so enable this House, when that Committee has formulated its decisions, to make any Amendments which may seem desirable. I hope the Home Secretary, who has been most reasonable throughout the whole discussion in meeting us in every quarter of the House, will see his way to accept this most reasonable suggestion.

Sir G. CAVE

I really do not look on this as a war measure. There ought to be permanently a power to denaturalise, and the Amendments to the seventh Clause are intended to be permanent Amendments of the Act of 1914. Besides that, of course, if this Clause were passed we should have to drop on Report Clause 3 of the Bill. I would rather not accept this, but of course it is quite understood that when we get our Report from the Committee on the whole law we may then consider and remodel not only the whole law of naturalisation, but the provisions of this Bill when passed. Perhaps with that explanation my right hon. Friend will not press this Clause.

Motion and Clause, by leave, withdrawn.