HC Deb 01 August 1946 vol 426 cc1192-3
15. Major Legge-Bourke

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons formerly detained under Regulation I8B are still under restrictions to travel; under what authority such restrictions are imposed; how long such restrictions will remain in force; and for what reasons they have been imposed on the persons concerned.

Mr. Ede

There are five such persons from whom I have decided that, in the national interest, facilities to travel abroad ought to be withheld and to whom leave to embark would be refused under powers preserved by the Emergency Laws (Transitional Provisions) Act, 1946. The powers remain in force until the end of 1947 unless previously revoked.

Major Legge-Bourke

Have the persons concerned been told under what authority they are being restricted in travel, and have the full contents of any Order which affects this activity been given to them?

Mr. Ede

No, Sir, I could not say that in each of these cases, but if any of them asked under what authority I was acting they would be told.

Mr. Stokes

In the term "abroad" does the right hon. Gentleman include Eire? If that is so, is it not rather ridiculous that there should be this kind of restriction?

Mr. Ede

It certainly does include travel to Eire. It is very desirable that these five persons should be prevented from getting to that particular country.

Mr. Martin Lindsay

In view of the fact that the emergency is long since over, may I ask the Home Secretary whether he contemplates taking steps to have the powers annulled?

Mr. Ede

No, Sir, I do not. Out of a population of 46 million, only five persons are under this disability. I can assure the House, and my hon. Frend the Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes), that it is with the greatest reluctance that I have decided that in these five cases it is necessary in the national interest to exercise this power.