Record of a meeting at the Dominions Office between Patrick McGilligan and Lord Lovat¹ on Irish Free State passports
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The Minister for External Affairs informed Lord Lovat that it was not his intention to change the description of holders of Saorstát passports from 'a citizen of the Irish Free State and of the British Commonwealth of Nations' to 'one of His Majesty's Subjects of the Irish Free State' as had been suggested in conversation to Mr. D. FitzGerald. As far as he could see there was no hope at present of reaching agreement on this question on the lines suggested. Lord Lovat asked if it would not be possible to effect the change gradually - not to advertise the change, but to issue a few passports from time to time with the description changed. To this the Minister objected and said that if some changed description were hereafter decided upon it would be preferable to announce the change, issue passports with the new description only, and call up the old ones. But for the present no change was contemplated. Sir Edward Harding then suggested that, in order to lessen the difficulties which are experienced by Saorstát citizens in cases where they seek the assistance of British Consular Officers, the latter would issue to such persons in exchange for their Saorstát passports new (Saorstát)² passports on which they would be described as 'one of His Majesty's Subjects of the Irish Free State'. Lord Lovat intervened to point out that this suggestion was being put forward tentatively, that it had not been considered by his Government. The Minister for External Affairs said that until this suggestion was made in official form and an indication given that it had the backing of the British Cabinet, he would not feel justified in offering any opinion thereon.

(N.B. It is possible that this proposal will be made. It can be considered then. Until the proposal is made no further action on Passports is called for.)