§ 15. Brigadier-General CROFTasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Baron d'Erlanger is permitted to move about freely or whether he requires a permit if moving any distance; and whether he has visited several Allied and neutral countries during the War; and, if so, by whose permission?
§ Sir G. CAVEBaron Emile d'Erlanger is not under any restrictions such as are suggested in the first part of the question. He has during the War paid several visits to France with the permission of the British and French military authorities, but I am not aware that he has visited any other foreign country.
I may add that Baron d'Erlanger was born in France, and became a British subject by naturalisation in 1891. I am informed that he has rendered valuable services to the Government during the War, and that his son is serving in the British Army, and has been awarded the Military Gross.
§ Sir J. D. REESIs it not a fact that this gentleman's Continental affinities are Belgian and French, and in no way German, that he occupies a position of very high esteem in the City of London, and that it is very unjustifiable to suggest that he is in any way engaged in an undesirable enterprise?
§ General CROFTCan this gentleman go to Switzerland without a passport?
§ Sir G. CAVENo; no one can cross the Channel without a passport. In answer to my hon. Friend (Sir J. D. Rees), I may say that this gentleman was born in France. His father, I think, was German born, but had lived a great part of his life in France. Whether he was naturalised or not I do not know. This gentleman has spent nearly all his life in this country, and was naturalised twenty-seven years ago.
§ General CROFTIs it possible for a naturalised gentleman of this kind to go to any part of the Continent without the Government knowing something about it?
§ Sir G. CAVENo; no one can travel without the knowledge and permission of the military authorities.