HC Deb 07 August 1940 vol 364 cc194-6
31. Dr. Little

asked the Minister of Information whether, in view of the disappointment often caused to senders of parcels to Northern Ireland by the refusal of the postal authorities to accept them in many instances on the ground that they are destined for a foreign State, he will issue instructions to all the post offices in Great Britain to the effect that all parcels addressed to any town or county in Northern Ireland should be received and forwarded, as the State of Northern Ireland is an integral part of the United Kingdom?

The Minister of Information (Mr. Duff Cooper)

No, Sir, I am afraid I can issue no such instructions. After very careful consideration, it was decided in the interests of security, to bring Northern Ireland within the scope of the Control of Communications Order (No. 5), 1940, and thus to control by the permit system the despatch of postal packets to Northern Ireland containing printed and pictorial matter and goods and commodities. There is no suggestion that in so doing Northern Ireland is regarded as anything but part of the United Kingdom.

Dr. Little

Is my right hon. Friend aware that for years past there have been serious complaints regarding the sending of parcels from Britain to Northern Ireland, and that of late, since the introduction of the censorship, the position has become so intolerable that, in the interests of business men and private individuals, something drastic must be done?

Mr. Cooper

The interests of business men and private individuals must bow before the interests of national security, and as my hon. Friend is well aware, there is a long land frontier dividing Northern Ireland from Eire, and it is very difficult to be perfectly certain that parcels sent to Northern Ireland cannot find their way into what is still a neutral Dominion.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir Ronald Ross

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, while we are anxious that anything really necessary for internal security should be done, this procedure causes great hardship to many poor people who are anxious to get parcels from sons and other relatives working in this country; and is it beyond the ability of the Department, which seems to spend a lot of time on censorship, to have a proper control over parcels without prohibiting the receipt of parcels from private individuals?

Mr. Cooper

Parcels can be sent to Northern Ireland, but there is a slight delay, and permits are necessary.

Sir R. Ross

Is my right hon. Friend aware that workpeople in England and Scotland do not understand from where they should get the permits, and it is very difficult for them to fulfil their obligations?

Mr. Cooper

I should be very glad to consider any means of facilitating the issue of permits and explaining them to such people.

Mr. Maxton

Is there any need for the tremendous delay? I have here a letter sent to me by a Member of the Ulster Parliament on 26th July and just received by me. It has been lying round, being cut about—and it is just a lot of nonsense.

Dr. Little

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a North of Ireland man in England wanted to send a little pair of shoes to his little boy, and they refused to take the parcel?