HC Deb 23 November 1914 vol 68 cc800-1W
Mr. NIELD

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has considered the case of widows of alien enemies who at the time of their marriage were British-born subjects and who desire to resume their British nationality; and whether he will advance their applications for renaturalisation, especially in cases where such persons have always been resident in the United Kingdom, and so save them the necessity for registering themselves as alien enemies and being subject to the restrictions imposed on those who are alien born and have not been naturalised?

Mr. McKENNA

The application for re-admission to British nationality of British-born widows of alien enemies are given the most favourable consideration. It is not possible while they remain aliens to save them from the necessity of registering themselves with the police, but, with the object of relieving them as soon as possible from the restrictions applicable to alien enemies, their cases are dealt with as expeditiously as the enormous pressure of work permits.