§ 28. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for the Home Depart- 640 ment if he will state why Hyman Sunderland, of Liverpool, resident in this country since 1888, who applied for nationalisation in 1914, has not yet been granted his papers?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir William Joynson-Hicks)The application referred to was received shortly after the outbreak of war, and, as in the ease of thousands of other applications received at that time, its consideration was not proceeded with. There is no trace of any later communication from the applicant, but if he wishes to renew his application and will write to the Home Office the matter will receive attention.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will arrange with his hon. Friend the Member for North Salford (Mr. Finburgh) about the difference he had with him as to cases in which applications had been made and had not been granted?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI do not know how that applies to this case at all. This is a case where application was made in 1914, and I certainly was not then responsible.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre we to understand that all the applications made in 1914 are still outstanding, and that they must be repeated if any consideration is to be given to them?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSNo. The answer to the question is quite clear. There were thousands of applications in 1914 which, quite obviously, could not be proceeded with during the War by my predecessor. They were put on one side. The bulk of them applied over again. If this gentleman cares to apply, the case will be considered at once.