HC Deb 08 April 1948 vol 449 cc357-8
71. Mrs. Castle

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether satisfactory arrangements have now been made for the issue of collective passports for parties of school-children visiting those foreign countries to which travel is now permitted.

The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Mayhew)

Collective certificates will be issued for properly controlled parties of school-children and members of recognised youth organisations under the age of 16 visiting foreign countries. East party must be in the charge of a responsible adult holding an individual passport. This adult will be required to notify the parent or guardian of each member of the party of the amount of foreign exchange allowed to the child. I must point out that the foreign exchange granted on a collective certificate is part of the child's basic travel allowance of £25 per annum.

Mrs. Castle

While I thank my hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask when the regulation is coming into operation, because school parties are at present being held up?

Mr. Mayhew

It will be in time for this summer, but I cannot say the exact date.

Mr. H. Hynd

Does that arrangement apply only to parties organised by schools as such or would it apply to parties of Boy Scouts?

Mr. Mayhew

It does not exclusively apply to schools. It would certainly apply to recognised youth movements.

Mrs. Castle

In view of the time which it takes to arrange these parties, will the hon. Gentleman speed up his announcement of the date? There is not much time left between now and summer.

Mr. Mayhew

I will certainly look into it and try to speed it up.