§ 17. Colonel GRETTONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the British Ambassador at Washington is advised or consulted by the Irish Free State envoy as to passports for travellers from the United States of America to the Irish Free State; and, if not, what steps, if any, are taken by the British Government to ascertain the qualifications of aliens passing through the Trish Free State to enter Great Britain?
§ Mr. PONSONBYAs I have already explained, the question of passports has not yet arisen. With regard to the question of visas to be issued by the Irish Free State passport control officer, I would refer to the reply returned to the hon. and gallant Member for Bilston on the I0th instant. His Majesty's Ambassador is not immediately concerned with the control of the issue of visas, but there is no reason to doubt that the Irish Free State passport control officer will loyally co-operate with his British colleague to ensure a proper control over aliens proceeding to either destination.
§ Colonel GRETTONAm I to understand that the control officer mentioned in the reply will be stationed at Washington, and will he in consultation with the British Ambassador at Washington before passports are issued?
§ Mr. PONSONBYI think that is so, but I cannot give a quite definite reply.
§ Colonel GRETTONAre not these matters of great importance? If not properly regulated and controlled, are not the whole passport Regulations of this country liable to be set at defiance at any time as regards the aliens that enter the Irish Free State?
§ Mr. PONSONBYYes, Sir; they are of the greatest importance, but I think the control is quite effective.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYIn view of the jealousy with which the Free State Government looks upon any interference, how would it be possible to bring any pressure to bear upon them in regard to these visas?
§ Mr. BECKERThe hon. Gentleman in his reply said that the question of passports did not arise; can he state what is the situation as regards passports in the Irish Free State?
§ Mr. PONSONBYMy reply dealt with visas, and not with passports.