§ 82. Mr. BOTTOMLEYasked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the desirableness of introducing an Amendment to the Naturalisation Laws requiring the names of sponsors for aliens seeking naturalisation to be published with all official notices of naturalisation?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY to the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir Hamar Greenwood)The answer is in the negative.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYDoes the hon. Gentleman not think that such a provision as this would make British citizens more cautious before guaranteeing the integrity of people like Laszlo, Hanemann, and other traitors to the country?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThe power to publish the names of sponsors is now within the discretion of the Home Secretary, and he does not see his way to advise legislation to interfere with that discretion.
§ Brigadier-General CROFTIs it not a fact that numerous cases have occurred during the War, where the Home Secretary has used this power to withhold information to the public disadvantage, as has been frequently proved?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI am not aware of these cases in regard to the present Home Secretary, at any rate.
§ Sir E. CARSONIs it the intention of the Government to bring in a Bill to amend the naturalisation law as it exists at present?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI must ask for notice of that question.
§ 83. Mr. BOTTOMLEYasked whether public notice is given of applications for British naturalisation prior to such applications being considered?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODApplicants for naturalisation, with the exception of men who have served in His Majesty's Forces and British-born women, are now required to advertise their applications before a decision is reached.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYSince when has that been the practice?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODSo far as I know it has always been the practice.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYWhy did you say "now"?
§ 84. Mr. BOTTOMLEYasked whether, in cases of denaturalisation, notice is given to either the Home Office or the police authorities as to the reasons for such denaturalisation?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave yesterday to a question to the same effect by the hon. and learned Member for York.