HL Deb 13 July 1943 vol 128 cc479-80WA
LORD VANSITTART

asked how many Germans have been naturalized in this country since the beginning of 1939, and how many Germans, naturalized or otherwise, have found Government employment.

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA AND BURMA (THE EARL OF MUNSTER)

Apart from women who lost their British status on marriage and have been readmitted to it, the numbers of persons described as of German nationality who have been naturalized in the period mentioned are as follows: 1939, 390; 1940, 208; 1941, 18; 1942, 20; 1943 (to May 31), 8. As regards the second part of the question, under Defence Regulation 60D an alien may be temporarily employed, with the consent of the Treasury, in any civil capacity under the Crown if the appointing authority is satisfied that he possesses special qualifications or experience fitting him for that capacity and that suitably qualified British subjects are not readily available at the time of his appointment. A similar relaxation in favour of naturalized British subjects has been made by a temporary modification of the Civil Service Nationality Rule.

The need for the exceptional treatment of aliens in this way has grown with the increasingly difficult man-power position. Up to date, specific Treasury sanction has been given for the temporary employment in the Government service in this country of 54 persons of German nationality (including Austrians and Stateless persons of German and Austrian nationality) and 42 persons, formerly German, who have acquired British nationality by naturalization or marriage. Treasury sanction was in each case conditional upon satisfactory security inquiries being completed. These figures do not include industrial staff in respect of whom general Treasury authority has been given subject to the same proviso.

House adjourned.