25. Mr. J. J. Davidsonasked the Home Secretary how many exit permits for hon. Members to leave this country were granted for private business reasons or Government business reasons, respectively; and for what period of time the permits applied?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe grant of exit permits to Members of the House of Commons has not been specially noted in the records of the Passport and Permit Office, and I regret that the information asked for by my hon. Friend could not be obtained without undue labour.
Mr. DavidsonDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think it necessary to make those inquiries in the national interest and in view of the indignation aroused because these permits were issued to Members of Parliament, and can he say at least for how long those permits are allowed and when he expects those Members to return to their duties?
§ Mr. WedgwoodIs there any indignation at these Members leaving this country in the course of business?
§ Sir J. AndersonI am aware that there has been comment on one or two cases. The number of permits which have to be dealt with by the Permit Office runs into tens of thousands, and, therefore, to get an exact figure it would be necessary to go through all those records.
Mr. DavidsonWould the right hon. Gentleman keep in mind that my Supplementary Question was made from observations from the working class, with whom the right hon. Gentleman has very little contact?
28. Mr. Davidsonasked the Home Secretary when the exit permits were issued to Gracie Fields, a well-known variety artiste, her husband, a well-known Fascist, and her pianist, Mr. Davis; and why these individuals were allowed to take with them amounts greatly in excess of the stipulated sum for persons leaving this country?
§ Sir J. AndersonExit permits were granted to Miss Gracie Fields and her husband on 28th May, and to her accompanist on 13th June. As regards the second part of the Question, I have made inquiries and am informed that no permission was sought or obtained to take out more money at this time than could be taken without formality.
Mr. DavidsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Mario Bianchi was actively associated with the movement for sending collections to assist the Italian War Fund, and can he say exactly how much was taken out by those people in money and in jewellery?
§ Sir J. AndersonAny question regarding the taking of money out of the country should be addressed to the representative of the Treasury.
Mr. DavidsonIn view of the unsatisfactory reply of the right hon. Gentleman, I give notice that I intend to raise this question at the first available opportunity.
§ 63. Dr. Littleasked the Home Secretary whether he will issue instructions to the effect that all Northern Ireland people in Great Britain making applications for travel permits should apply for same through the Northern Ireland office, Cockspur Street, London?
§ Sir J. AndersonI assume that my hon. Friend has in mind the grant of exit permits to enable persons to travel from this country to Northern Ireland. Such permits can be issued only by the Passport and Permit Office which, I understand, works in close touch with the Northern Ireland office in all cases where the applications are made by persons from Northern Ireland, but I do not 976 think that it would be for the convenience of such persons if they were required to make their applications through the Northern Ireland office instead of to the Passport and Permit Office direct.
§ Dr. LittleIs my right hon. Friend aware that we have this, office here in London for that purpose, and that I and my colleagues from Ulster cannot possibly answer the letters we are receiving? As the people here do not know where to apply, I hope that my right hon. Friend will make it clear where they should apply.