HC Deb 10 August 1871 vol 208 cc1316-7
MR. BEACH

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, What is the reason that passports are required from passengers landing in Belgium from England, while none are required for those entering Belgium from Germany?

VISCOUNT ENFIELD

said, according to official information received, travellers entering Belgium were not required to exhibit their passports unless they entered from the French frontier. But under present circumstances it was ad- visable for all persons intending to visit the Continent to provide themselves with passports.

MR. BEACH

asked whether it was not a fact that notices had been put up in Belgium that passports were required, and that Belgian officers had gone on board steamers to demand a sight of them before travellers were allowed to land?

VISCOUNT ENFIELD

said, he had heard rumours to that effect, but they were not justified in making that demand. Travellers entering by the French frontier were obliged to show their passports; but not those entering direct from England.