HL Deb 10 December 1945 vol 138 cc538-40

7.26 p.m.

THE EARL OF CORK AND ORRERY had the following Notice on the Paper: To ask His Majesty's Government—

  1. (a) Whether under the existing law those Irish men and women who have, as volunteers, assisted in the war effort, either by service in the Armed Forces, or by war work in a civilian capacity, and who thereby have become entitled to full benefit under the Unemployment Insurance Acts, will, if they return to Ireland, 539 cease to be legally entitled to unemployment benefit;
  2. (b) Whether, if this is so, and having regard to the insurance contributions paid, His Majesty's Government will make suitable arrangements with the Government of Eire for the formation of a. special fund, to be administered in Eire, for the purpose of preventing, or mitigating, any hardship amongst those Irish volunteers who have done valuable war service in the Allied cause;
  3. (c) Whether Irish ex-Service men will be allowed to remain in England should they desire to do so.

LORD HATHERTON

My Lords, on behalf of my noble friend, who is unable to be present, I beg to ask the question standing in his name.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

My Lords, the reply to paragraphs (a) and (b) of the noble Earl's question is that this matter is still under consideration but I am glad to say that it is hoped to reach a decision at a fairly early date. In reply to paragraph (c) of the question, any British subject belonging to Northern Ireland can enter or remain in Great Britain at will. While the temporary restrictions on travel from Eire are in force, British subjects belonging to Eire must obtain permission from an immigration officer to disembark here on coming from any place in Ireland and conditions limiting their stay in Great Britain may be imposed. An Eireann member of the Forces can, however, elect to take his discharge here and stay here for good or proceed to Eire and return within the period of demobilization leave, that is eight weeks, and then remain. If he does not return within eight weeks the assumption is that he does not want to stay here, and if he subsequently wishes to return it will be necessary for him to apply for a visa in the ordinary way but such applications will be favourably considered, and all ex-Service men who come across will have the advantage of re-training and rehabilitation under Ministry of Labour arrangements.

LORD HATHERTON

I wish to thank the noble and learned Lord for that information.

House adjourned at twenty-eight minutes past seven o'clock.