HC Deb 16 July 1942 vol 381 cc1328-30
12. Mr. Ivor Thomas

asked the Home Secretary whether, in recognition of the services to the allied cause of the French and Danish communities in this country, he will extend to them the exemptions from the restrictions upon aliens recently given to allied nationals?

Mr. H. Morrison

While I am glad to pay tribute to the services which are being rendered to the Allied cause by the French and Danish communities, I regret that I should not feel justified in extending automatically by general order to the nationals of States which are not at war with the Axis powers the privileges recently granted to nationals of Allied States. I have, however, considered whether any steps can be taken to meet the special case of the French and Danish civilian and unofficial communities, and I have decided to give to individual French and Danish nationals, who satisfy me that they are trustworthy and loyal supporters of the Allied cause, exemptions of a general character from the restrictions upon the movements of aliens. Individual French and Danish nationals who desire to obtain general exemption from these restrictions should communicate with the police of the district in which they reside.

Mr. Thomas

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, which will give great satisfaction, may I ask whether every application will receive the most sympathetic consideration?

Mr. Morrison

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Sorensen

Is there any appeal against a decision of the local police?

Mr. Morrison

No, Sir, though sometimes representations are made to us and we ask for the observations of the police; but this matter must be administered locally, and the decision must be the decision of the chief constable.

Mr. Buchanan

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether it is possible to extend this change to cover cases where Danes or French marry here, so that the women they marry will not lose their British nationality, and also allow his decision to operate in the case of adopting the child of an alien?

Mr. Morrison

That does raise a rather different issue from that in the Question on the Paper. I will consider it, but my impression is that it would require legislation.

Sir Granville Gibson

Will this regulation apply to Norwegian nationals as well?

Mr. Morrison

They are already covered rather more advantageously because the Norwegian Government are at war with the Axis.