60. Vice-Admiral Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has considered the position of the ex-Unionist minority in Eire who were born British citizens and desire to retain that status but at present have to travel with a Free State passport; whether the question of citizenship was discussed in the recent conversations with the Minister of Eire; and what steps he is taking to enable these persons to retain their British nationality?
The Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (Marquess of Harrington)So far as the first and third parts of the question are concerned, I have nothing to add to the public statements made by my right hon. Friend's predecessor at the time when the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1935, was before the Dail. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.
Vice-Admiral TaylorIs it a fact or not that the minority in the Irish Free State still retain their British nationality and hold British passports?