§ 55. Mr. SMITHERSasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the proposed arrangement for dispensing with passports for short visits between France and England, what steps he is taking to ensure that this privilege is not abused?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir John Gilmour)As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs explained in his reply to the hon. Member for Kirkdale (Mr. Rankin) on 13th instant, the arrangement proposed would merely secure for British tourists visiting Paris facilities which have in fact for many years been available to French tourists coming here. A most careful check is kept on the entry and departure of foreign tourists, and experience has shown that the privileges granted have not been abused. No further precautions are therefore required.