§ 44. Sir J. BUTCHERasked the Home Secretary whether the conference of experts to consider alterations in the law of naturalisation which was promised by the late Home Secretary (Sir George Cave) on 12th July, 1918, has been held; who are the members of that conference, and how many sittings they have had; if such conference has not been held, what is the reason for such omission, and when this conference will be held; and whether he will state the number of communications which have passed between the Home Government and the Governments of the Dominions and India since 12th July, 1918, on the subject of alterations in the Law of Naturalisation?
§ Mr. SHORTTA meeting of the Special Conference, to which certain questions of nationality and naturalisation were referred by the Imperial Conference in the year 1918, was held on 31st July of that year. It was attended by representatives of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and India, besides representatives of the Home Government. Shortly after the meeting most of the Overseas representatives went away, and no further meeting has been held. It was agreed that, pending the opportunity for further meetings, the subject should be pursued by the circulation of papers. Since then various letters and memoranda have passed between the Home Country and the Overseas Dominions.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there are many serious questions awaiting solution, especially such questions as whether naturalised British subjects should have the same rights as natural-born British subjects?
§ Mr. SHORTTYes, Sir.