HC Deb 05 July 1933 vol 280 cc315-6
5. Mr. HALL-CAINE

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider the desirability of evolving a scheme for reimbursing to foreign visitors to this country the cost of their visa fees upon their producing evidence to show that they have spent more than a certain amount of money in this country?

Sir J. SIMON

It would not be practicable to evolve a scheme on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend.

Mr. HALL-CAINE

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the 10 dollar visa is preventing a large number of Americans from visiting this country?

Sir J. SIMON

That is a question that has been raised a good many times and has been very sympathetically considered. Confining myself to the particular question, I think the hon. Member will see the difficulty of fixing a suitable amount or determining what should he regarded as satisfactory evidence of expenditure, as well as the very considerable difficulty that an arrangement of this sort would be bound to favour the wealthier classes who are least in need of such help.

Mr. MABANE

What does it cost a British subject to visit America?