§ 1. Sir MARTIN CONWAYasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has communicated already with the French Government, intimating to them his intention immediately to reduce the price for a British visa to 8s; whether he has requested the French Government simultaneously to revert to the charge of 10 gold francs (8s.), which was their price before they were driven to raise the sum against British subjects to 20s.; and, if so, whether such reduction can take place not later than the end of the present month?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Cecil Harmsworth)The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the negative. The reduction in the British visa fees will be made at the earliest possible moment. The French Government were represented at the Passport Conference in October, 1920, at Paris, and will presumably adopt the scale of fees then agreed upon.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINMay we take it from the announcements in the papers that the "earliest possible moment" means the immediate future?
§ 6. Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the ill effects or otherwise experienced by Belgium in the abolition of the visa; and whether it has been found that, in the absence of this formality, undesirable visitors have made their way into that country
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHThe answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINShould the results of this measure prove to be advantageous to Belgium, would the hon. Gentleman do all in his power to emulate this example?
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHI should hope so.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYMay we take it that we are watching the 1845 effects in Belgium of the abolition of the visa with a view to adopting the same process here?
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHYes, I will see that inquiries are made.