HC Deb 28 July 1937 vol 326 c3069
10. Mr. Day

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what further conversations or negotiations have taken place between the representatives of His Majesty's Government and the Government of the United States of America with reference to the reciprocal abolition or reduction of passport visa charges?

Mr. Eden

Under an arrangement concluded on 12th March last, His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and the United States Government mutually agreed to reduce, as from 1st April, the ordinary visa fee for nationals of either country proceeding to the territory of the other from 10 dollars to two dollars, or the equivalent in sterling or local currency. The fee for a transit visa was at the same time reduced to 20 cents. This arrangement was announced in the Press at the time, and no further conversations or negotiations have since taken place with representatives of the United States Government on this matter.

Mr. Day

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the United States consular officers inform British subjects that they will be willing to waive fees altogether if the British Government do the same?

Mr. Eden

I do not know about that, but this is an 80 per cent. reduction in the tariff, which is not too bad.