§ 27 and 107. Sir B. CHADWICKasked the Prime Minister (1) if he is aware 18 that a unanimous resolution was adopted by the British chambers of commerce abroad, at their meeting in London on the 20th April, 1921, urging that British grandchildren born abroad should not be deprived of the nationality of their parents as imposed by the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act, 1914; that children born of British parents abroad, who voluntarily came home to fight for the motherland, now rank as aliens under that Act; that there are many British families residing abroad to-day where brothers and sisters are of various nationalities under that Act; seeing that this injustice was brought to his notice in a telegram sent to him on the 25th June, 1921, from the members of the British chambers of commerce in the Argentine Republic, what steps do the Government propose to take in the matter;
(2) if he can facilitate the amendment of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act, 1914, so as to provide for the acquisition of British nationality by children born of British subjects abroad; and whether he is aware that the withholding of these amenities from British subjects abroad is a great hardship and is causing widespread dissatisfaction and resentment?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Shortt)I have been asked to reply. I can only repeat the answers given earlier in the Session by the Leader of the House that a Bill on this subject has been drafted, and that efforts are being made to obtain the concurrence of all the self-governing Dominions so that the Bill may be ready for the first suitable opportunity for legislation. The assent of Canada and of Newfoundland has not yet been received.
§ Sir B. CHADWICKWill the right hon. Gentleman give me the date of the earlier statement to which he refers?
§ Mr. SHORTTI cannot at the moment, but I will get it.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERAs the introduction of this Bill has been promised by successive Home Secretaries for nearly seven years, can the right hon. Gentleman state an approximate date for its introduction?
§ Mr. SHORTTNo; I cannot give an approximate date when we shall get the consent of all the self-governing Dominions.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWill the right hon. Gentleman make some representations to Canada, if that is the Dominions holding this up, seeing that South Africa has agreed to it and the Canadian Prime Minister has agreed to it?
§ Mr. SHORTTYes, I am making representations.