HC Deb 07 December 1944 vol 406 cc731-2
74. Dr. Little

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in the near future and with better shipping facilities now becoming available, he will relax certain restrictions on travel between Great Britain and Northern Ireland which are proving burdensome, oppressive and most disappointing to many.

Mr. H. Morrison

I am anxious to relax the restrictions as soon as possible but I am sorry that the time has not yet come for any major alteration of policy.

Dr. Little

Does my right hon. Friend recognise how vexatious and uncalled-for are some of these restrictions on travel to Northern Ireland, which is a part of the United Kingdom?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member appears to be making a statement rather than asking a question.

Dr. Little

I am asking a question, Sir, and I am asking for an answer.

Sir Hugh O'Neill

Does my right hon. Friend realise that terrible hardship is being caused to large numbers of perfectly responsible Ulster people resident in this country, who have not been allowed to visit their families—apart from fathers and mothers or children—for four years?

Mr. Morrison

I can assure my right hon. Friend that I am exceedingly anxious to do my best, but, as those who travel on the route know, there are great difficulties about travel, checking up at the offices, and so on. There are great problems of congestion of the machine, but as soon as I can do so, I will relax the restrictions further.

Mr. Buchanan

Cannot the Minister, in the meantime, ask the officials to see that at least there is a less strict rule about the amount of travel allowed, because there is great hardship?

Mr. Morrison

I do not think that in the circumstances we are too strict. We are trying to be as considerate and as kind as we can. If, as time goes on, we can make further relaxations, nobody will be more pleased than I will be.

Mr. Stephen

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that applications by working-class folk are treated as generously as the others?

Mr. Morrison

I am surprised at the hon. Gentleman dreaming that the Home Office would do anything else.

Mr. Buchanan

Is the Minister aware that in the city of Glasgow, where there is an Irish passport office, the way the working-class people who apply there have to wait and are treated is not too creditable, and that there is a marked difference sometimes between that, and the way the well-to-do are treated?

Mr. Morrison

That is an allegation, and if my hon. Friend produces evidence to me, I will look into it. This waiting business is part of the problem.

Dr. Little

Does my right hon. Friend think it judicious and wise to refuse a permit to a speaker to attend a conference in Belfast when his visit could do nothing but good to all concerned?