HC Deb 19 December 1927 vol 212 cc12-4
29. Mr. SAKLATVALA

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that several British citizens have joined a wing of the French army, designated the Foreign Legion, and that in doing so they have signed a pledge, binding for five years, involving an oath of allegiance to a foreign Power; and does he propose to amend the law so as to prohibit such double allegiance to two separate States or to disqualify such persons from British citizenship?

The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir Austen Chamberlain)

I have ascertained that a man, on joining the Foreign Legion, promises to serve with fidelity and honour for five years, but that he is not called upon to take the Oath of Allegiance.

Mr. SAKLATVALA

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that during these five years it is likely a war may break out between that country and this country, and, in that event, to whom is the fidelity and honour due from the British citizen who joins the Foreign Legion?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

I do not think it is likely in the course of the next five years, or at any time, for war to break out between this country and France, but I do not encourage the enlistment of any British subject in any Foreign Legion.

Mr. THURTLE

May we take it that a British subject may pledge himself to serve faithfully any foreign Power without jeopardising his own British citizenship?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

I do not feel that I can interpret the law as to the obligations of British citizenship in the limits of a supplementary question, but I think we should be entitled to deal as we thought fit with a British citizen found serving against his country in time of war.

Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKE (by Private Notice)

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been called to the statement that John Harvey, the Cardiff man sentenced to eight years' imprisonment for deserting from the Foreign Legion and pardoned by the French Government on an appeal made by the Foreign Office in London, is to be sent back to the Legion to complete his term of service; whether he can say if this statement is correct; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

According to my information the statement referred to by my hon. Friend is not correct. Mr. John Harvey will be released from all military obligations as soon as the usual formalities in connection with his discharge are completed.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the usual formalities include the payment of 500 francs to the French Government?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

No, Sir, I do not know.

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the usual formalities require Mr. Harvey to be returned to Africa before getting his release?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

No, Sir, I cannot say that, but I understand that as soon as those formalities are completed he will be released, and I again express the thanks of His Majesty's Government to the French Government for this act of grace and courtesy. Perhaps I might add that Englishmen who voluntarily join a Foreign Legion under another jurisdiction cannot expect that their Government shall interfere.

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the American Government interfered immediately in the case of their man, who was released?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

I am not aware that the American Government interfered, though I am aware that the French Government released the man, and, according to my information, some plea was made by the representatives of the American Legion when they visited France. But I again say, and I think it is desirable that it should be understood by ill Englishmen, that, if they choose to enlist under a Foreign Government, they cannot look to their own Government for safety.

Mr. AUSTIN HOPKINSON

Can His Majesty's Government take any steps to prevent this gentleman from writing sensational and exaggerated, and even untrue, articles in the Press regarding his experiences in the Foreign Legion?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

If His Majesty's Government had that power, they would employ it in a great many cases.