§ 7. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the visa on passports is abolished for citizens 1245 of Switzerland travelling to France, Belgium, Holland, Sweden, Luxemburg, Lichenstein, Uruguay, the Dutch Colonies, the United States of America, and Denmark, and for the citizens of those countries travelling to Switzerland; whether any discussions, correspondence, or conversations have taken place between His Majesty's Government and the Swiss Government with a view to abolishing the passport-visa between the British Isles and Switzerland and vice versa; if so, with what result; and why British subjects are penalised by having to obtain visas for Switzerland when the subjects of so many other States are not so penalised.
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Shortt)My hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I understand that arrangements for the mutual abolition of visas have been made between Switzerland and the countries mentioned in the first part of the question; but in several, if not in all, cases, persons seeking employment are excluded from the benefit of the agreement, and the agreement with the United States relates only to American citizens proceeding to Switzerland, and not to Swiss citizens proceeding to the United States. His Majesty's Government received and considered very carefully a proposal from the Swiss Government for the mutual abolition of visas for persons other than those seeking employment, but came to the conclusion that it was not desirable in present circumstances to relinquish the requirement of a Britisn visa for persons coming to the United Kingdom from Switzerland. The Swiss Government have been so informed. As regards the last paragraph of the question, His Majesty's Government is not aware why a Swiss visa is still required by British subjects who desire to enter Switzerland when it has been remitted in the case of American citizens, notwithstanding the fact that the United States Government maintain apparently the same course as ourselves in this matter.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYAre we to understand that this visa system is simply kept on by the Home Office, in spite of the fact that other great countries in Europe have seen fit to abolish it, and without encountering untoward results?
§ Mr. SHORTTWe are taking the same course as the United State of America.
§ Sir FORTESCUE FLANNERYIn regard to the question dealing with persons seeking employment, is it the custom of the Foreign Office to give introductions as well as visas to those who are seeking to establish British trade abroad, and will they do that in the same manner as foreign Governments do?
§ Sir H. BRITTAINIs it not a little reactionary and behind the times?
§ Mr. SHORTTI do not think it is.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYHas the right hon. Gentleman any information that any great disaster has happened to France, Spain, and other countries which have abolished visas to Switzerland?
§ Mr. SHORTTI am only concerned with this country.
§ Sir F. FLANNERYCan the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs answer my question?