HC Deb 21 March 1944 vol 398 cc675-6
Sir Hugh O'Neill

(By Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that as a result of the recent alteration in permit regulations, Ulster students in colleges and schools in Great Britain and other perfectly innocent people are being refused permits and are unable to get home; and will he investigate these cases with a view to establishing the bona fides of such persons and allowing them to travel?

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Herbert Morrison)

The suggestion that the refusal of a permit is a reflection on the innocence or bona fides of the applicant is entirely misconceived. As was made clear in the Press statement, the scheme is to place for the time being a general ban on travel to Ireland subject to certain closely limited exceptions. One of the exceptions is for boys and girls at boarding schools in Great Britain, whose homes are in Ireland, and who cannot arrange to spend their Easter holidays here. As regards older students who have left school but are attending colleges in this country, it would not be right to make a general exception since, during the short Easter holiday, there should, generally speaking, be little difficulty in their making arrangements to remain and do some useful work in this country. Applications, however, will be considered in any individual case where a refusal of a permit would involve hardship of an urgent and compelling character.

Sir H. O'Neill

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the cases which has been brought to my notice is that of a lady whose son was killed in the Anzio Beachhead a short time ago and came to London to visit her widowed daughter-in-law and small baby and to take them home, and that now she is refused a permit to go back to her home in Northern Ireland?

Mr. Morrison

I am not aware of that case, but if my right hon. Friend will let me have particulars I will look into it.

Sir H. O'Neill

Will my right hon. Friend agree to receive a deputation of Members representing Northern Ireland seats to go into this matter with him and try to come to some arrangement?

Mr. Morrison

Certainly, sir; but I would like to make this general observation, that it is only a week since the House and the country received, as far as I could see with unanimous and definite approval, the ban on travel to Ireland, and if already we are going to have a strong push to make big exceptions, the purpose of the ban will be ineffective.

Sir H. O'Neill

Is not Northern Ireland, which is in the United Kingdom and in the war with us, in an entirely different category from that of Southern Ireland?

Mr. Morrison

With great respect, for this purpose it cannot be in a separate category. In the nature of the circumstances I must deal with Great Britain as a whole on the one hand, and with Ireland as a whole on the other. There is no reflection on Northern Ireland whatever.

Professor Savory

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it unfair that Northern Ireland should be compelled to do penance for the sins of Eire?

Mr. Morrison

I quite understand my (hon. Friend's point, but I am up against geographical facts, and that cannot be helped.