§ Mr. LANSBURY(by Private Notice) asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to a statement made by six office-bearers of the Glasgow Indian Union to the effect that a number of British subjects, born in India and resident in Glasgow, many of whom were employed in Britain during the War, have been registered as alien seamen by order of the Home Office, and, if so, what action he will take to prevent similar occurrences in future?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Captain Hacking)I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Home Office. The Home Secretary has received from my right hon. Friend a copy of the statement in question, and as the result of inquiry I understand that the persons to whom it refers had no documentary proof of their claims to British nationality when called upon to register. The registration of six of them was subsequently cancelled on their producing valid British passports, and it will be cancelled in the case of any others who produce evidence of a similar character.
§ Mr. BUCHANANMay I ask a question, Mr. Speaker, for my guidance? The hon. Member has put a question regarding certain people resident in Glasgow, and the Home Office has answered it. I have always understood that in connection with Home Office matters the Secretary for Scotland controlled that Department in Scotland. In connection with naturalisation matters it is becoming increasingly difficult for Scottish Members to know to whom to address their inquiries. They are bandied about between the Home Office and the Scottish Office. Does the Secretary for Scotland control Home Office matters in Scotland?
§ Captain HACKINGThe Home Office is responsible for all aliens, whether in Scotland or in this country.
§ Mr. BUCHANANTwo years ago, when the last Conservative Government was in power, there was the case of the Irish deportations. Then the Home Secretary did not apply for the orders, but the Secretary for Scotland did.
§ Mr. BUCHANANThey were being treated as aliens.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat point cannot be raised now.
§ Mr. LANSBURYWill the Under-Secretary for the Home Office pursue his inquiries into this matter and allow all the people concerned to be informed that if they can prove that they are British citizens these restrictions will be withdrawn, passport or no passport?
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEIs it the case that Lascar seamen have now to produce passports and to show their British nationality?
§ Captain HACKINGI must have notice of that question. With regard to the first question, all these people know exactly what they have to do in order to avoid registration as aliens. [HON. MEMBERS:"Oh !"] They will know, after having read the answer to this question.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIs the hon. Gentleman aware that these men are British subjects; and will he take some steps to notify the people in Glasgow and these people concerned, that British subjects need not come under these alien restrictions?
§ Captain HACKINGIt is precisely for the reason I have indicated—that we do not know whether they are British subjects or not—that we must satisfy ourselves on the point. We must be satisfied that they are British subjects before we cease to compel them to register as aliens.