§ 42. Mr. Gallacherasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a number of British-born subjects have, since 1918, gone to the United States of America because they were unable to obtain employment in this country; that in the United States of America they have taken out naturalisation papers in order to retain employment; and that in many cases they have now returned to this country and desire to regain their British nationality; and whether in such cases he will consider waiving the fee of £10 charged for naturalisation, as most of these people are entirely without means and are caused hardship by being classified as aliens?
§ Mr. LloydI am afraid it is not possible to make a special concession in regard to the fee for persons who were originally British subjects but became naturalised in a foreign country.
§ Mr. GallacherAlthough the answer of the hon. Gentleman was somewhat indistinct, I would like to ask him whether he is aware that there are many hard cases of this kind, of men trying to get employment and finding it difficult to do so 1350 because they have not British nationality, while they cannot pay the£10 to get British nationality until they get employment and that such men are between two alternatives. Can nothing be done for them?