§ 4. Mr. John Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the employees of Short Brothers will be called upon to obtain residence permits to reside in Northern Ireland; and if they will be under an obligation to renew these residence permits every six months and to notify the police in Northern Ireland when they wish to change their address.
§ Mr. EdeIn accordance with the Residence in Northern Ireland (Restriction) Order, 1942, employees of Short Brothers, who were not resident in Northern Ireland immediately before 1st January, 1940, will require permits to reside in Northern Ireland, but it is proposed that so long as they remain in the employment of that firm they should not be required to apply for renewal of their permits or to notify changes of address to the police.
§ Mr. LewisWill the Home Secretary say if the Northern Ireland Government have refused to renew the residence permit of an Englishman who is self-employed, and thus not depriving any Ulsterman of employment? Would he say if the Northern Ireland authorities can deport an Englishman as an undesirable alien if 563 he has not a residence permit, bearing in mind that Ulster is part of the United Kingdom?
§ Mr. EdeThe original Question relates to employees of Messrs. Short Brothers. I cannot give an answer to the general questions put by my hon. Friend without notice.
§ 6. Mr. J. Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that the employees of Messrs. Short Brothers will be disfranchised as not being residents in Great Britain and not having the residence qualification in Northern Ireland; that they will not be entitled to vote under the Franchise Acts; and what steps he is taking to preserve the rights of these men.
§ Mr. EdeMy hon. Friend appears to have been misinformed. The requirement of residence permits does not affect the eligibility of persons resident in Northern Ireland to be registered as voters either for elections to the United Kingdom Parliament or to the Parliament of Northern Ireland.