§ 16. Major-General Sir Alfred Knoxasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether steel helmets have been issued to all air-raid precautions wardens?
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Sir John Anderson)Issues have been made to local authorities sufficient for their full authorised establishments of wardens.
§ NORTHERN IRELAND—EIRE BOUNDARY.
§ 19. Mr. Cocksasked the Home Secretary whether, in addition to the control now being exercised over the traffic between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, steps will be taken to impose a strict supervision and control of the frontier between Northern Ireland and Eire?
§ Sir J. AndersonAny control which can be exercised over the land boundary would not dispense with the need for a control over the traffic from Northern Ireland to Great Britain: and it is by means of such a control that safeguards can be most effectively maintained.
§ Mr. CocksIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that people can pass freely over the country roads between Eire and Northern Ireland; and, in view of the importance of certain centres of Northern Ireland in our scheme of national Defence, will he introduce control over the whole border?
§ Sir J. AndersonThere is control over the whole border. The House must realise that control over a land frontier must always present more difficulty in practice than control upon the sea.
§ Sir Hugh O'NeillIs my right hon. Friend aware that the only control which at present exists is a Customs control? There is no control over aliens.
§ Sir J. AndersonI should hesitate to express any view in conflict with that of my right hon. Friend. If he will communicate with me, I will see whether, in 1364 consultation with the Government of Northern Ireland, any further measures can be adopted.