HC Deb 19 October 1944 vol 403 cc2516-7
21. Mr. Tinker

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give consideration to extending temporary visits to Eire and Northern Ireland to those persons who do not come within the parents, husbands or wives Clause, but who have brothers or sisters keeping the home going and to which they will return later on.

Mr. H. Morrison

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 28th September to my hon. Friend the Member for Down (Dr. Little). While I appreciate the hardships of separation imposed by the present restrictions, I could not at present contemplate a concession which would greatly increase the number of potential travellers.

Mr. Tinker

Seeing that the temporary visits now allowed to the categories mentioned in the Order are for six months, could not the right hon. Gentleman consider allowing those who do not come within that list, who have homes in Ireland, to visit them once in every 12 months? That would be some slight concession.

Mr. Morrison

I will consider the point. I am anxious to be as sympathetic to my hon. Friend's point of view as I can, but, apart from any security considerations, the transport situation between this country and Ireland is exceedingly difficult.

Sir Irving Albery

Are these restrictions still kept on for security reasons?

Mr. Morrison

It is a mixture of security and transport considerations.