§ 35. Mr. PERCY HARRISasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will state what is the present attitude of the Government to naturalisation; whether he is aware that every obstacle is placed in the way of foreign nationals domiciled in this country getting certificates of naturalisation; and what period of time from the date of application is required before such certificate is granted to applicants long domiciled in this country and bearing good characters.
Mr. DAVIESThe attitude of the Government is favourable to the grant of naturalisation to such applicants as satisfy them that British nationality may properly be conferred on them. The answer to the second paragraph is in the negative, and the answer to the last depends on the circumstances of every application.
§ Mr. HARRISAre there any definite regulations as to what is a reasonable period—two, three, four or five years? At present there seems to be no system or length of time laid down.