HC Deb 07 December 1944 vol 406 cc768-9W
Captain P. Macdonald

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider the introduction of legislation prescribing that no alien of enemy nationality may hold the controlling number of shares in any company, and that under all circumstances an available British subject shall be given a preferential claim to employment over any such alien, providing he is capable of doing the work in question.

Mr. H. Morrison

I cannot undertake to introduce legislation on these or related matters at present. In any case, the issues are not as simple as might appear from my hon. and gallant Friend's Question. For example, many refugees from Nazi oppression and other aliens of enemy nationality have materially contributed to the war effort of the United Nations as members of the Forces or as civilians, while others have rendered valuable services by establishing industrial enterprises giving employment to British workers to the advantage of the national economy.