§ 29. Sir J. BUTCHERasked the Secretary of Stale for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the promise given in the House of Commons on 12th July, 1918, by the then Home Secretary, Sir George Cave, at once to refer the many difficult questions of principle which has arisen in connection with the law of nationality to a conference of experts who would consider them and sug- 1542 gest or recommend legislation; whether that conference of experts has considered these questions and recommended legislation; and whether he will state when ho will be in a position to introduce legislation to amend the laws of naturalisation?
§ Mr. SHORTTI am well aware of the promise given by my predecessor. The deliberations of the conference to which the hon. and learned Baronet refers are not yet complete, and have, naturally, been delayed by the pressure of business arising out of the Peace Conference. As to the prospects of legislation I can only repeat the reply given on the 10th April last to a question asked by the hon. Member for Canterbury—that the urgent questions were dealt with in the Act. passed last year and the others must foe fully discussed with the Governments of the Dominions and of India before further legislation is proposed
§ Sir J. BUTCHERIn view of the urgency of this matter, will my right hon. Friend accelerate the proceedings as far as possible so as to bring in a Bill?
§ Mr. SHORTTThere will be no avoidable loss of time.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSHow often has the conference met?
§ Mr. SHORTTI should require notice of that.