HC Deb 31 July 1919 vol 118 cc2254-6
5. Sir HENRY HARRIS

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Government of the United States of America are refusing to allow the passports of British subjects to be viséd in England in order that they may proceed to America Jo take possession of land which they have purchased there and propose to cultivate; and, if so, whether he will make representations to the United States Government on the subject?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

Further representations have recently been made to the United States Government with a view to the relaxation of the restrictions at present imposed on the grant of the United States visé to persons desirous of proceeding from this country to the United States of America.

7. Sir HARRY BRITTAIN

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is intended to continue the passport system between this and foreign countries; and, if so, whether he will consider some simplification of the present system, together with the elimination, as far as possible, of the troublesome visé for each and every journey?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

I understand that it is proposed for the present to continue in force the requirement that persons entering the United Kingdom shall be in possession of valid passports. This matter is, however, rather within the province of the Home Office than of the Department which I have the honour to represent. In the case of persons proceeding abroad the necessity for a passport depends chiefly on the regulations of the country to be visited.

With respect to the second part of the question, the visé system has already been considerably simplified. British visés, and also those of certain foreign countries, are now made valid, without need for renewal for prolonged periods of time in the case of persons desiring this facility.

Sir J. BUTCHER

Will the hon. Gentleman take care that in the interval before the coming into operation of the Aliens Restriction Bill passports for Germans entering this country should not be viséd abroad by our representatives?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

As I said, that is rather a question for the Home Office than for the Foreign Office

Mr. ATKEY

Is it necessary that British subjects desiring to visit Belgium should have to attend personally to have their passports viséd in London? I have received a message from a gentleman at Nottingham who desires to go to Belgium. He has got his passport viséd by the Foreign Office and now he is told he must attend personally at the Belgian Office to have it viséd.

Mr. BOTTOMLEY

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I am going to Belgium to-morrow and have my passport viséd without doing that?