§ Mr. BILLINGasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a German named Adolphus Frederic Lindemann is living at Sidholm, Sidmouth; whether this man was formerly employed by Krupp's; whether he has been naturalised and, if so, at what date, and under whose recommendation; whether he has recently acquired property 2038W in the neighbourhood of Sidmouth; what is his present business or means of support; and whether since the outbreak of war he has been granted a passport to leave England and return?
§ Sir G. CAVEThis man is a British subject, having been naturalised, under the usual conditions, in 1904. He is seventy-one years of age, has resided at Sidmouth since 1884, and has three British-born sons who have done good service for this country since the outbreak of war. I am not aware that he was formerly employed by Krupp's. At the time of his application for naturalisation he described himself as a consulting engineer. I have no information with regard to the fourth, fifth, and sixth parts of the question. The grant of passports to British subjects is a matter for the Foreign Office.
§ Mr. BILLINGasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of a young German of military age, known as Kramer or Cramer, who was dismissed from Edinburgh Hospital on the outbreak of war as an unnaturalised German, and was subsequently granted naturalisation papers; at whose instance these were given; whether he is aware that Cramer subsequently obtained an appointment at University College Hospital, London; that a member of the board of this hospital summoned a meeting for the purpose of considering a resolution for his expulsion; and that this resolution was subsequently withdrawn on account of the representations made by the present Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; whether he is aware that this man was known to have with him, in this country, his uniform as an officer in the German Army; and whether he intends to leave this man in his present position?
§ Sir G. CAVEI find that the man referred to, who is thirty-nine years of age, and came to this country, in 1902, was on the outbreak of war a lecturer in physiology at Edinburgh University, a post which he had held since 1905, and was senior assistant to the professor of physiology. He had carried out research work of great value to this country. He was not dismissed from his post, but resigned voluntarily in September, 1914. He was granted a certificate of naturalisation by the then Secretary of State on 2nd October, 1914, his application being supported by prominent members of the university, including the Chancellor, my 2039W right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. I have no information with regard to the matters referred to in the third, fourth, and fifth parts of the question; and as regards the last part of the question, I know of no grounds for any action on my part.