HC Deb 15 March 1945 vol 409 cc370-1
18. Dr. Little

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in order to avoid all espionage, he will issue special orders to those guarding the border to prevent all enemy aliens and sympathisers from crossing the border into Northern Ireland from Eire.

Mr. H. Morrison

I am satisfied that the Government of Northern Ireland are armed with adequate powers to enable them to take such steps as are necessary and practicable to safeguard the interests of national security.

Dr. Little

I would like to ask my right hon. Friend whether, as the danger is greater to-day than ever before, owing to the presence of German prisoners of war in Northern Ireland and their frequent escapes, he will keep all enemy aliens in Eire on their own side of the border out of touch with these prisoners of war and thus prevent any connection between them and the German representatives in Dublin?

Mr. Rhys Davies

Is it possible to find out how many enemy aliens there are in Eire?

Mr. Morrison

I should think so. With regard to my hon. Friend's point, as far as I know, no great harm has resulted and, if we had enough troops on the border of Northern Ireland, which would mean a densely packed lot of troops right across the border, I am not sure how many troops would be left to fight the Germans in Europe.