§ Mr. NEWTONasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Baron Bruno Schroeder, a native of Hamburg, trading with another as J. Henry Schroeder and Company, merchant bankers, at 145, Leadenhall Street, E.C., and whose son joined the German Army on the outbreak of the War, was granted a certificate of naturalisation in this country on the 7th August last; whether Julius Rittershaussen, also a native of Hamburg and holding an important position in the above-mentioned firm, was granted a certificate of naturalisation on the 28th September last; and whether any protests have been received, and, if so, from whom, against the granting of British rights and citizenship to such persons at the present time?
§ Mr. McKENNAYes, Sir. I granted certificates of naturalisation to the gentlemen named on the dates specified, after satisfying myself that it was clearly in the 227W public advantage to do so. I received a protest dated 24th October from the Court of Aldermen of the City of London sitting in committee. The protest was couched in the same terms as the first two paragraphs of the present question, and I replied in the same terms as I have just given to the House.
§ Mr. NEWTONasked the Home Secretary whether there is any means of cancelling certificates of naturalisation; and, if so, how many such certificates have been cancelled since the outbreak of war?
§ Mr. McKENNAThere is at present no power to cancel certificates of naturalisation. When the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act comes into force on 1st January next there will be power to revoke certificates obtained by false representations or fraud.