§ 43. Sir Cooper Rawsonasked the Home Secretary when the matter of Mr. T. Heyer, of Brighton, about which the hon. Member for Brighton has been in correspondence since November, 1939, is likely to be completed; and, in view of the fact 708 that Mr. Heyer has lived in England since he was 18 years old and his naturalisation papers were nearly through before the present war commenced, will this matter be expedited, as much distress is being caused to Mrs. Heyer?
§ Mr. PeakeOn the question of naturalisation my hon. Friend has been misinformed. No application for naturalisation has been made and there is no ground for any suggestion that but for the outbreak of war this German subject would have been naturalised. The information about him satisfied the local tribunal that despite his long residence in this country he ought to be interned. His case is to be reviewed by the Advisory Committee at an early date, and as soon as my right hon. Friend receives the committee's report he will reconsider the case; but on the information at present before him he is not prepared to authorise the release of this enemy alien.
§ Sir C. RawsonWill the hon. Gentleman tell me why it is that those words "at an early date" have occurred so often during the last six months; and does he know that I was led to understand by the Minister, who replied to me instead of the hon. Member, that he would have this appeal taken by the end of last month?
§ Mr. PeakeThis case has been referred by my right hon. Friend to the Advisory Committee. There has been some little delay in the proceedings before the Advisory Committee owing to the illness of the chairman, but my right hon. Friend has no intention of releasing any enemy alien without the fullest inquiry.