§ 7. Mr. Chatawayasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied that the security requirements of the United Kingdom are fully safeguarded as regards aliens entering the United Kingdom from the Irish Republic, in view of disclosures earlier in the year concerning security.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerI consider that the present arrangements afford reasonable protection against the risks which my hon. Friend has in mind.
§ Mr. ChatawayCan my right hon. Friend confirm that there is absolutely no control whatever over any aliens entering this country from the Irish Republic? Does he think that, with the rather poor reputation for security that we have inevitably acquired over the last eighteen months, we can afford to have a substantial part of our immigration control handed over to the Irish Republic which must, after all, have criteria rather different from ours, since it is a neutral country?
§ Mr. ButlerFor some time there has been what may be described as an acceptable measure of security, thanks to immigration control in the Republic. As far as we can see, those arrangements have been operating satisfactorily and I should not like to disturb them.