17. Colonel NEWMANasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that a British subject born and domiciled in Ireland but resident in Great Britain is unable to obtain a passport to travel abroad until reference is made to and leave obtained from the competent authority of the Irish Free State; and what action does he propose to take to remove this disability imposed on a citizen who claims to be of full British nationality and status?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the definition of Irish citizenship in Article 3 of the Irish Free State Constitution, which formed the Second Schedule to the Irish Free State Constitution Act, 1922. It is the practice of His Majesty's Government to grant passports to British subjects who are also Irish Free State citizens, as therein defined, only after consultation with the competent authority of the Irish Free State. This procedure is analogous to that which obtains in regard to persons of Canadian origin temporarily resident in this country.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI do not think so; I am not aware that the hon. and gallant Gentleman has taken up Irish citizenship.
Colonel NEWMANI have not taken up Irish citizenship; but apparently I must take it up or stay in these islands for ever!
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI do not think that that is the least likely to arise.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERAm I right in supposing that all Irish citizens are British subjects as well?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORECertainly, that is so; so are all Canadian citizens.