asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if applicants for British nationality who have served in the Merchant Navy during the war will be among the categories given early consideration.

I understand that among the thousands of applicants whose consideration has been suspended, there are a number from persons who have served in the Merchant Navy during the war. Priority will be given to these applications provided that the applicants possess the necessary statutory qualifications and are otherwise suitable for naturalization. I am not yet in a position to say to what extent it will be possible to give priority to future applications.