HC Deb 22 April 1941 vol 371 c33W
Mr. David Adams

asked the Home Secretary, in view of the fact that among the interned and other enemy aliens there is an overwhelming proportion of Jews who are officially classified as German, Austrian or Italian, will he consider the possibility of sanctioning the renunciation of such nationality in cases where desired by such Jews and permitting their classification as of Jewish nationality, pending clarification of their status at the end of the war?

Mr. Peake

The renunciation by a foreigner of his foreign nationality is a matter which is governed by the law of his own country and it is not within my right hon. Friend's competence to sanction such renunciation. As regards the second part of the Question nationality has a meaning only by reference to a sovereign State.