HC Deb 07 August 1941 vol 373 cc2076-7
22. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of difficulties respecting air-raid precautions workers desiring to visit relatives in Northern Ireland; and whether he will arrange that air-raid precautions personnel on leave shall have the same facilities for visiting Northern Ireland as those afforded Service men on leave?

Mr. H. Morrison

Air-raid precautions workers are eligible for the grant of exit permits to enable them to visit their homes in Northern Ireland once in any period of six months, and I regret that I should not feel justified in according them preferential treatment over other classes of civilian war workers, so far as travel between this country and Ireland is concerned.

Mr. Sorensen

Could not the right hon. Gentleman consider extending the facilities for these workers to visit at least near relatives in Northern Ireland?

Mr. Morrison

That Question had better be put down. I was answering the particular point mentioned in the original Question.

Mr. Sorensen

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider extending the facilities for these workers and placing them at least in the same position as members of the Armed Forces?

Mr. Morrison

I have done so, and, as I need not assure my hon. Friend, I am very sympathetic towards their cases; but the soldier goes because he holds a leave pass, and therefore the matter is much simpler in his case. Other circumstances arise in the case of Civil Defence workers, and if I gave this concession, I should find it very difficult to resist concessions to other war workers in the country.