HC Deb 09 November 1936 vol 317 cc506-7
73. Sir W. DAVISON

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that considerable numbers of foreigners, many of whom are aliens, are becoming British citizens by obtaining naturalisation in the Irish Free State; and what action is being taken by the British Government to preclude the admission into Great Britain of foreigners who have not taken the steps which would have been required of them had they applied for naturalisation in Great Britain?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)

Persons naturalised in the Irish Free State under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1935, do not thereby become British subjects. The second part of the question does not therefore arise.

74. Sir W. DAVISON

asked the Home Secretary whether he can make any statement as to the question of aliens who secure entry into this country by obtaining the birth certificates of other aliens already resident in Great Britain, whether naturalised or with permits?

Mr. LLOYD

Under Article 15 of the Aliens Order, 1920, every person over 16 years of age entering the United Kingdom is required to be in possession of a valid passport bearing his photograph or some other document establishing his nationality and identity. A mere birth certificate is not accepted as a document of identity on which leave to land would be granted.

Sir W. DAVISON

If people obtain the birth certificate of someone already in this country can they not also have a faked photograph in support of it?

Mr. LLOYD

The question of faked photographs and passports is a much wider one than this Question on the Paper.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Are these regulations applied equally as between rich people who come here and poor people?

Mr. LLOYD

Certainly.

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