HC Deb 20 June 1940 vol 362 cc223-4
19. Sir Hugh O'Neill

asked the Home Secretary what regulations are at present in force to check and control the entry into Northern Ireland of persons coming from Eire?

Sir J. Anderson

I have been in consultation with the Government of Northern Ireland, and in view of the difficulties of controlling entry over the land border, they have decided to supplement the existing powers of the police for dealing with undesirable entrants by an Order requiring all persons in Northern Ireland to be in possession of an identity document which must be produced to the police on demand.

Sir H. O'Neill

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the imposition of restrictions and conditions on the entry of persons into Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, from Eire, which is a neutral State, is within the province of this Government or the Government of Northern Ireland?

Sir J. Anderson

Matters of internal security are primarily the responsibility of the Government of Northern Ireland. There are responsibilities with regard to the control of entry into the United Kingdom which are the responsibilities of the Government of the United Kingdom. In all these matters I have been in the closest consultation with the Government of Northern Ireland, and I am not aware of any step that has been left undone which, in the view of the Government of Northern Ireland, it was desirable to take in the interests of internal security.

Mr. Logan

Do I take it that in any case the danger in Northern Ireland is that there would be an opportunity for both parties to cross the border?

Mr. Cocks

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on a number of country roads you can stroll across from Eire to Northern Ireland?

Sir J. Anderson

As I have said, the control of the frontier presents special difficulties, and the Government of Northern Ireland have been giving close attention to the matter.

Mr. Lipson

Do the identity cards include a photograph of the person?

Sir J. Anderson

I cannot say, and really I do not think it would be proper for me to pursue the matter, which is within the sphere of the Government of Northern Ireland.

Mr. Buchanan

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that the present is an opportune time to make an approach to abolish the border altogether?