HL Deb 09 March 1972 vol 329 cc207-8

3.11 p.m.

THE EARL OF ARRAN

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are aware that the Irish Government are negotiating with the Soviet Union and Poland with a view to establishing Embassies in their respective countries; what steps they are taking to ensure that these new Embassies will not be used as bases from which Soviet agents may re-enter the United Kingdom, thus nullifying Her Majesty's Government's ejection of such agents from the United Kingdom; and whether there is any possibility of excluding them under the present no-passport regulations.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN)

My Lords, we have been aware of these possibilities for some time, and have naturally considered most carefully the implications for this country's security. The matter will continue to receive close attention.

THE EARL OF ARRAN

My Lords, while thanking the noble Marquess for his Answer, may I ask whether it is the fact that Her Majesty's Government, having had difficulty in the past in controlling Soviet agents inside the United Kingdom, will find it doubly difficult to control the infiltration of such agents from abroad? Is it not high time that a passport system was introduced between Ireland and the United Kingdom?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, the noble Earl has of course drawn the attention of the House to a most important point and one which I can assure him has not been lost on Her Majesty's Government at all. He will realise that this matter involves questions of security, and of course these are confidential matters. I really cannot go into them at the present time. I take the noble Earl's point, and assure him that the matter is being very carefully attended to.

LORD BETHELL

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that diplomats in Moscow are subject to very close travel restrictions, and that as a result we impose similar restrictions on Soviet diplomats in London? Is it not probable that if Ireland were to open an Embassy in Moscow their representatives will be subject to similar restrictions, and that the same will apply in Dublin; and would not this solve the noble Earl's problem?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, I think that is quite likely; but it is not for me to say whether that will be so or not.

LORD PARGITER

My Lords, could the noble Marquess say how a person, of whatever nationality, accredited to an embassy in Dublin would be able to use Irish nationality to come into this country?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, of course I should not be able to.