§ 15. Dr. Littleasked the Home Secretary whether, since it is made obligatory on every inhabitant of the United Kingdom to possess an identity card, he will adopt such precautionary measures as will prevent anyone from a neutral country entering any part of the United Kingdom without a valid identity card?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonMy hon. Friend is no doubt aware that all persons in Northern Ireland are required to be in possession of an identity document which must be produced, to the police on demand. As regards control of entry of persons from Eire into Northern Ireland I would refer him to my Reply to his Question on 14th May.
§ Dr. LittleIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in my own constituency at Newry Petty Sessions last week seven young airmen, one a deserter from the Eire Army, were charged with entering Northern Ireland without proper identity cards, and that in their evidence, according to the Press, they stated that they had purchased their identity cards from men at Dundalk. Does he consider the arrangements for crossing the border far too lax and a positive danger to the State?
§ Mr. MorrisonNo, Sir, I do not think that is suitable, and we do all we can to meet these points, but I do not think the hon. Member's proposal is a wise one. Last week he was asking me to relax the rule of entry to Ireland from Great Britain. He rather turns about from week to week in his security reasons.
§ Dr. LittleNorthern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom, and I have pressed for freer travelling facilities between Britain and Northern Ireland, but I deny that I have ever done anything except ask for the strictest care to be exercised in allowing people to cross the border from neutral Eire into Northern Ireland.
§ Professor SavoryWhy is it not possible to demand the production of an identity card from every citizen of Eire entering Northern Ireland?
§ Mr. MorrisonThat would be a matter for the Northern Ireland Government.
§ Professor SavoryNo, Sir, it is a matter for the right hon. Gentleman. Under the Northern Ireland Act, 1920, all entry into Northern Ireland depends on the Home Secretary of Great Britain.
§ Mr. MorrisonI will look into that point. Nevertheless, the Northern Ireland Government have a very efficient police organisation.
§ Professor SavoryIt cannot control the entry of aliens into Northern Ireland.