§ 32. Dr. Littleasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the outrages that have recently been committed in Northern Ireland by men who have crossed the 1286 border without identity cards for the purpose of attacking members of the police force or to find out information useful to our enemies, he will issue instructions that no one for a stay of either a long or a short period will be allowed to pass from Eire into Northern Ireland without a permit with photograph thereon?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonUnless it could be made physically impossible for unauthorised persons to cross the line 180 miles in length which forms the land boundary of Northern Ireland, a paper requirement that no person shall pass over the line without a permit would be of little value. For this reason it has been decided—as I have previously stated—that other measures shall be adopted for security purposes than the method advocated by my hon. Friend. A man does not become less dangerous because his photograph is on a document which he may have irregularly obtained.
§ Dr. LittleDoes my right hon. Friend recognise that the position has worsened since the six weeks' arrangement was made for persons to enter Northern Ireland without permits, and is he aware that on Saturday night last a building belonging to one of the public utility services in Belfast was bombed, fortunately without much damage being done?
§ Professor SavoryIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that in Northern Ireland photographs must be attached to all driving licences, and that the people there are therefore accustomed to the use of photographs; also that it is not anticipated that there would be any difficulty if we were to require that all identity cards should bear photographs, and that it would certainly be an additional security?
Mr. AstorIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that in every other part of the Empire where such occurrences have taken place the security authorities and the police always insist upon a system of passes with photographs, and while it may not be foolproof, it is of immense assistance to the police in carrying out their duties?
§ Mr. MorrisonOn all those points I understand and appreciate the feelings of hon. Members, but the fact remains, as regards the proper policing and control of that border of 180 miles, that it really is 1287 no good for us to deceive ourselves into thinking that we can afford the manpower to watch every inch of the border, and if we pass laws which we know cannot be properly enforced we are making a fool of the law. I assure the House that I am doing the best I can in difficult circumstances, and I think things are not so bad as hon. Members sometimes fear.