HC Deb 06 August 1940 vol 363 cc61-2W
Sir R. Glyn

asked the Home Secretary why the rules covering exit permits are so rigid as to prevent a Dominion subject of His Majesty being treated with consideration where the individual circumstances warrant this; and whether he is aware that in the case of a mother, herself born and brought up in South Africa but resident in England since her marriage to an Englishman, who is anxious to take her five children to her old home in South Africa for the duration of the war, an exit permit has been refused in respect of the eldest child on the grounds that she has attained the age of 16, although the state of her mother's health is such that she will be unable to look after the four other children on the voyage without this older girl's assistance?

Sir J. Anderson

The rules governing the issue of exit permits have been expressly drawn so as to allow of exit permits being granted freely and without discrimination as to age or sex to Dominion nationals who are not normally resident in this country and who wish to return to their homes. In the particular case to which my hon. Friend refers it would appear that the lady has been resident in this country for many years but if my hon. Friend will furnish me with further particulars, including the lady's name, I will look into the matter and communicate with him further.