HC Deb 19 November 1964 vol 702 cc614-5
33. Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to include citizens of the Republic of Ireland in the operation of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act, 1962.

Sir F. Soskice

I have no present proposals to make any change in this respect.

Mr. Lloyd

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman recollect that his right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, as official spokesman for the Labour Party, made the exclusion of Southern Ireland from the Commonwealth Immigrants Bill the main issue of principle upon which the opposition of the party opposite to the Bill was based? Am I to understand that there may be a change in the attitude of the Government on this question?

Sir F. Soskice

Quite naturally, I carefully studied all the speeches which have been delivered in the course of the many debates on this difficult and emotive subject. All I can say is that, having held this office for one month, and having considered the various pros and cons, I am not in a position to say that I have at present any proposals in regard to the matter to which the right hon. Gentleman's Question relates.