HC Deb 22 July 1918 vol 108 cc1442-4
21. Sir J. WALTON

asked the Minister of Munitions whether there are any unnaturalised enemy aliens in charge of controlled establishments and, if so, how many; and what are their names and locations?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of MUNITIONS (Mr. Kellaway)

Five unnaturalised enemy aliens, one of whom is a Czech, are acting as managers or supervisers in controlled establishments; three in Sheffield, one in Cardiff, and one in London. One of these men is a specialist in the manufacture of optical glass; one is engaged by a firm of wire rope manufacturers, and three by firms producing steel. Their names are Bielstein, Kayser, Poffart, Emmrich, and Lamm.

Sir J. WALTON

May I ask whether Adolf Sgonina was not recently, if he is not at present, the manager of the Flottman Engineering Company, Limited, of Cardiff; and whether the Ministry of Munitions will take immediate steps to dispense with the services of at any rate several of the alien enemies whom the hon. Gentleman has indicated?

Mr. KELLAWAY

I do not recognise the name of the first gentleman whom my hon. Friend mentioned as being on my list. If he will give me particulars, I will have inquiries made.

Sir J. WALTON

I shall be pleased to give all the information.

Mr. ROCH

Will the position of these gentlemen be regularised by their being naturalised, as they seem to be essential to the Ministry of Munitions?

Mr. KELLAWAY

As to that, I will have inquiries made. I should like to say, in reference to the general question put by my hon. Friend (Sir J. Walton), that each of these men had his case examined by the Advisory Committee of the Home Office, and it was held by the Committee that they were doing work of such importance that their skill was necessary to the nation.

Sir J. WALTON

Will their certificates be re-examined under the Bill we have just passed?

Mr. KELLAWAY

That is a question for the Home Office.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

As these people are making munitions for use against Germany, is it not likely that they will not be welcomed in Germany after the War?

Mr. KELLAWAY

That is very likely to be the fact.

Major BOWDEN

Will they be welcome in Sheffield?

Mr. KELLAWAY

We are advised that they are doing work in Sheffield that they are competant to do and which it is very difficult to get other men to do.

Major BOWDEN

Cannot you get Englishmen to do it?

26. Major NEWMAN

asked the Minister of Munitions how many aliens of enemy birth, naturalised or not, are at present employed at the British Thomson-Houston works; and are any of these aliens in positions of authority?

Mr. KELLAWAY

I am advised that no unnaturalised aliens of enemy birth are employed at the British Thomson-Houston works. A naturalised British subject of German origin has been employed by the firm for twenty-two years. He now holds a position in connection with the factory cost accounting. I am informed that he was denaturalised by the Bavarian Government in 1897, and became a naturalised British subject in 1909. He has lived in this country for twenty-seven years, and is married to a French woman.