19. Miss Wardasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the disquiet felt at his decision not to permit British status to be given to illegitimate babies born abroad to members of the Women's Services whose fathers are of British status; and whether he will reconsider this decision, in view of the harm done to children by the withholding of the rights of a nationality.
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Herbert Morrison)As I have already informed my hon. Friend, the national status of such children is determined by the law and not by me; and the most I can do is to afford facilities for the naturalisation of such children as soon as they reach the age at which naturalisation is practicable. I ought to say that according to my information the number of such cases is extremely small.
Miss WardIs the Minister aware that the War Office want an alteration in the law? In view of the humanitarian issues involved, will not the right hon. Gentleman consider altering the law?
§ Mr. MorrisonMy hon. Friend must not try to set the War Office against the Home Office—it is very naughty.
§ Mr. MorrisonWe should in any case be faced with difficulties. Much would turn on the question of the nationality of the putative father, which would cause a fair amount of difficulty. The numbers are very small, and I think that in a consideration of legislative priorities, it is impossible to put this at the top of the list.
Miss WardOwing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment at the first opportunity.