HC Deb 13 July 1920 vol 131 cc2178-9W
Lieut.-Colonel CROFT

asked the Home Secretary whether steps are taken by his Department to keep the various Dominion Governments informed on the subject of naturalisation of Germans; and whether the Dominions reciprocate such information in order that it may be impossible for German officers to become naturalised in South Africa or in other parts of His Majesty's Dominions?

Sir J. BAIRD

The names and other particulars of any Germans to whom certificates of naturalisation are granted in the United Kingdom within the very strict limitations laid down by Section 3 (2) of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act, 1918, are published monthly in the "London Gazette" and are included in the Annual Returns as to Naturalisation. The Government of a Dominion has no power to grant a certificate of naturalisation having any validity outside the Dominion except by adopting Part II. of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act, 1914, and this the Government of South Africa has not yet done. Where a Dominion has adopted the provisions of Part II., lists are received by my Department periodically of all aliens to whom certificates of Imperial Naturalisation are granted. Certificates of Imperial Naturalisation granted in Colonies not possessing responsible Government are subject to the approval of the Secretary of State for the Colonies and, together with those granted in India, are registered in the Home Office. There is no power to interfere with local naturalisation in the Dominions: the certificates granted are valid only within the Dominion and do not concern the Mother Country.