§ 40. Major Wyattasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why permission is not granted for Americans 491 who have married British women to stay in this country if they so desire and can find employment; and, in particular, why William H. Lang of the U.S. Army is not permitted to remain, although he can find employment, and there are compassionate grounds on which permission might be granted.
§ Mr. EdeMarriage to a British woman is not in itself a sufficient reason for allowing an Allied soldier to settle and seek employment in this country. In the case to which my hon. Friend refers, in view of the circumstances entitling him to compassionate treatment, if an application for discharge in the United Kingdom is submitted through the proper military channels, I should be prepared to consider it sympathetically to enable the man to be here on a temporary basis.
Captain Noel-BakerWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that a good deal of ill-feeling was generated in the United States, not only by the difficulties put in the way by his Department of Americans wishing to settle here but also by the difficulties experienced by American husbands of British women coming to this country to visit their wives?
§ Mr. EdeWith regard to the first part of the question, I cannot admit that there is a grievance. With regard to the second part, I am always prepared to consider cases where reasonable ground can be shown for temporarily admitting a United States citizen.
§ Mr. NicholsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a good deal of reciprocal feeling caused by the fact that affiliation orders have been made against American soldiers which cannot now be enforced?