HC Deb 18 July 1940 vol 363 cc384-5
28. Dr. Little

asked the Home Secretary whether he will make arrangements whereby, in cases of urgency and family considerations, permits will be issued to such persons for travel between Great Britain and Northern Ireland; and whether he will do his utmost to remove all unnecessary hindrances from the way of those who can travel to Northern Ireland without infringing any regulation for the safety of the State?

Sir J. Anderson

Subject to verification of the facts in each case, exit permits are granted to enable persons to travel between Great Britain and Northern Ireland for urgent family reasons such as the serious illness or death of a close relative. No unnecessary hindrances are placed in the way of such persons or of persons who can produce satisfactory evidence that they are travelling to Northern Ireland on business of national importance.

Mr. Hicks

Could not arrangements be made for men from Ireland in the building trade who have been here for nine or ten months to go home to their families, especially in cases of illness?

Sir J. Anderson

I am very anxious to give consideration to any hard cases, but the paramount consideration must be a reduction in the volume of travelling.

Mr. Buchanan

Could not the right hon. Gentleman consider allowing a limited amount of travel to workmen who have been separated from their families for a considerable time?

Sir J. Anderson

It is a question of how limited it would be.

Dr. Little

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are facilities for travel both by boat and train?

33. Dr. Little

asked the Home Secretary whether he will grant permits to enable clergymen to travel to and from Northern Ireland who have promised to conduct services and preach there at this critical time; and whether he will arrange for the same privilege to be granted to clergymen in Northern Ireland who have preaching engagements to fulfil in Great Britain?

Sir J. Anderson

The policy of restricting travel between Great Britain and Northern Ireland must, I fear, be accepted as inevitable for the time being; and I should not have thought an exchange of clergymen between the two countries could be regarded as essential. I understand, however, that my hon. Friend has recently been in communication with my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary and I will see that he gets a considered reply to his representations.