HL Deb 22 March 1950 vol 166 cc379-81

2.43 p.m.

LORD BROUGHSHANE

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is the procedure and prerequisites to enable a foreigner to secure British naturalisation; are sponsors always required, and what steps are taken to ascertain the reliability of such sponsors and their opportunity of having a full and accurate knowledge of the person for wham they vouch; are the names and particulars of such sponsors attached to the certificate of naturalisation; and whether there was any variation in the normal procedure in the case of Dr. Fuchs, and if so for what reason.]

THE LORD CHANCELLOR (VISCOUNT JOWITT)

My Lords, an applicant for naturalisation must have the qualifications laid down in the British Nationality Act, 1948. The Secretary of State requires each applicant to submit the names of four British subjects who are willing to sponsor his application, though this is not a statutory requirement. Inquiries are made about the sponsors' knowledge of the applicant and, where necessary, about the sponsors themselves. The Secretary of State does not depend solely on information supplied by the sponsors, but makes careful inquiries through the police and by other means, and on occasion other Government Departments are consulted. Names and particulars of sponsors are not attached to the certificate of naturalisation. There was no variation of the normal procedure in the case of Dr. Fuchs.

LORD BROUGHSHANE

My Lords, in view of the imperilling of our national safety by the admission. to British nationality of Dr. Fuchs, have the Government taken into consideration making some change in the procedure, such as, that applicants for naturalisation should be referred to a committee who would go into the facts of the case and report to the Secretary of State before the certificate was actually issued?

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

My Lords, I doubt very much whether we should get any additional security from a committee. I am afraid we must recognise the fact that, though all possible precautions are taken, it is inevitable, human nature being what it is, that people who should not be allowed through will get through.

VISCOUNT BUCKMASTER

My Lords, arising out of the question of my noble friend, I should like to ask the noble and learned Viscount in a helpful spirit whether the 'Government would consider insisting that the names of the sponsors appear in the Press. At present they do not appear, and I feel that if they did it might help to avoid such happenings.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

My Lords, I rather doubt that. The suggestion will be looked into and considered, but I rather doubt the wisdom of it. After all, the sponsors are responsible people and they give the information honestly. If it turns out that, through no fault of theirs, the information is wrong, it would be unfair that they should he pilloried thereafter in any shape or form, provided they have given of their best and have been perfectly candid in what they have said.