§ 11. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Home Secretary how many Russians have been naturalised during the two years ending 31st March, 1926; the number of other nationals naturalised during the same period; how long a period the Russians naturalise had been resident in this country; what trades or occupations such persons were following at the time of naturalisation; and was the consent of the Labour Ministry obtained before naturalisation papers were issued?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSFigures are published monthly in the "London Gazette" and annually in returns presented to Parliament, and with the hon 1315 Member's permission I will give them for the last two calendar years and for the first quarter of 1926, as follows; Certificates granted in 1924, 935, including 365 to Russians; in. 1925, 1,074, including 352 to Russians; in first quarter of 1926, 337, including 129 to Russians. I cannot undertake to give the length of residence or occupation of the grantees: information on the latter point will be found in the Monthly Gazette notices. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative: subject to fulfilment of the statutory requirements the grant of a certificate of naturalisation is in the sole discretion of the Secretary of State.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYDoes the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the political opinions of these Russians who are naturalised?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSNo, Sir. All I do is to try to ascertain that the man who applies for naturalisation as a British subject has really become in heart and in intention a British subject.
§ Mr. LANSBURYCan the right hon. Gentleman account for the fact that so large a number of Russians, proportionately, have been naturalised during this period, and is it possible for the Department to give us the length of residence of these people, that is whether they have lived in this country for one year or for 10? is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of other nationals have applied for naturalisation. They have been resident in this country from birth, or almost from birth, but so far they have not been naturalised.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI can only say that if the hon. Member looks at the figures he will see we are naturalising more Russians and all other nationalities than before my advent to office. I have expedited the process of naturalisation in the Home Office, and some of these men who have now been naturalised made their application before I came into office. We are trying to work through the arrears, and no distinction is made whether the man is a Russian or any other nationality.
§ Mr. LANSBURYAre there any documents by which I can discover how long many of these 1,000 who have been naturalised in the last two years have resided in this country?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThere is no document at all, but I think the hon. Members may take it from me that all these Russians have resided in this country for a good many years before being naturalised.
§ Mr. PALINGIs it the case that a large proportion of these Russians have been resident in this country either during the later stages of the War or since?