HC Deb 29 June 1927 vol 208 c385
6. Mr. HANNON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any proposals have been received from the Government of the United States for the abolition or reduction of the charges for visas on passports between the United States and this country; and, if so, what action he proposes to take?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

No further proposals have been received from the United States Government since those of 1925, which are fully dealt with in Command Paper 2746 of 1926.

Mr. HANNON

Has not the time arrived to approach the United States, so that these excessive charges on visas can be done away with altogether.

Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURY

Is it not a fact that these visas act as a form of Imperial Preference by inducing our people to go to Canada instead of to the United States?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

The last time we attempted to deal with this question unfortunately only a very one-sided bargain was proposed by the United States, that we should waive the whole of our visas and that they should merely reduce the fees.

Sir W. DAVISON

Stick to your guns.