HC Deb 22 May 1941 vol 371 cc1573-4
31. Dr. Little

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the approaching holiday season and the desire expressed on all sides for definite information, he will make it clear that Northern Ireland people resident in Great Britain are entitled to visit their friends in Ulster once every six months?

Mr. H. Morrison

As a result of the relaxation of the restrictions on travel between the two countries in November last, exit permits are now granted to enable persons to travel to their homes in either country not more than once in any period of six months. Exit permits are not granted, however, to enable persons to visit their friends in either country.

Dr. Little

Will the right hon. Gentleman definitely remove certain hampering and hindering restrictions, which are causing great vexation, at the earliest possible moment?

Mr. Morrison

I am very sympathetic to the point that the hon. Member puts, but travel between Northern Ireland and this country has to be controlled, both for shipping and for security reasons, and I cannot hold out a prospect of a material relaxation.

61. Dr. Little

asked the Minister of Information whether, in view of the uncertainty regarding travel permits that prevails, he will arrange that speakers who are crossing from Britain to Northern Ireland to address meetings at conventions, conduct seaside services and perform other like duties, will receive the required permits to enable them to fulfil their engagements?

Mr. Morrison

It continues to be necessary to restrict travel between this country and Ireland, and I should not feel justified in authorising the general grant of exit permits to enable persons to travel to either country for the purpose of fulfilling engagements of the kind mentioned. Exit permits are, however, granted to enable clergymen to travel to either country to take up an appointment for a period of not less than three months.

Dr. Little

There are conventions and seaside services that have been held in Ulster for more than a quarter of a century unbroken, and may I ask my right hon. Friend to look into this matter and grant permits to these friends who have gone there year after year?

Mr. Morrison

I appreciate my hon. Friend's point and I am not unsympathetic to it, but in addition to the things he has mentioned there is a war on, which involves a lot of other considerations.

Mr. Sorensen

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that no preferential treatment is given to one type of speaker as compared with others?

Mr. Morrison

That is precisely one of the difficulties which I should be landed into if I listened to my hon. Friend's plea.