HC Deb 12 December 1934 vol 296 cc390-1
66. Mr. McGOVERN

asked the Home Secretary the number of persons who were former British subjects and, having emigrated to America, were compelled to become American citizens in order to retain their employment, and have now applied for leave to return to this country for the purpose of finding employment or commencing in business for each year since 1930; and the number of permits granted in each year?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I have no figures as to the number of United States citizens of British origin who have applied to British Consuls in America for visas to return to this country, and without inquiry being made in America it is not possible to say how far, if at all, the information desired by the hon. Member could be supplied by British Consuls. Even if the Consuls have kept figures, I doubt whether they would form a reliable basis for distinguishing between persons who return to visit or stay with relatives and those who state that they wish to take employment or open a business. Unless there are special circumstances, permission is not given to a person to return to this country to take employment.

Mr. McGOVERN

Will the Home Secretary give any indication of the number of people who have returned here from Holland and have asked leave to return?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I do not think that that information could be found without considerable labour, and I doubt whether it would be helpful.

Mr. McGOVERN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of these people went out to America rather than become a charge upon public funds, and that they had no desire to become American citizens, but circumstances compelled them? Now that they are undergoing a period of extreme hardship, cannot the right hon. Gentleman consider that they should be allowed to return to their friends in this country?

70. Mr. JOEL

asked the Home Secretary how many applications have been received by his Department within the last year for renaturalisation of British subjects who have been abroad since the War and for purposes beneficial to themselves have become naturalised in other countries; and how many of such applications for renaturalisation have been granted?

Sir J. GILMOUR

During 1933, the last year for which figures are available, certificates of naturalisation were granted to 74 male persons who had been British subjects before they became aliens. Applications from such persons are dealt with on the same basis as applications from other aliens, and no separate statistics are kept of the number of applicants who belong to this category.

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