HC Deb 02 November 1949 vol 469 cc373-4
10. Mr. Platts-Mills

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the rules made by the United States Government relating to the issue of visas are unfair to British subjects; and if he will withdraw the concession of free British visas for American citizens entering this country until parity of treatment is agreed to by the United States authorities.

Mr. Mayhew

The decision to abolish visas for United States citizens travelling to the United Kingdom was taken in accordance with the general policy of His Majesty's Government to remove restrictions on travel as far as possible, and a number of European Governments have taken similar action. By reason of their special immigration problems, it is not possible for the United States Government to waive the visa requirement. Every Government has the right to decide to whom it should allow entry into its country. There is nothing unfair to British subjects in the exercise of this right by the United States Government in the matter of visas. British subjects, resident in the United Kingdom, who are eligible to enter the United States as bona fide non-immigrants, can be granted visas free of charge.

Mr. Platts-Mills

Is not my hon. Friend aware that an eligible person, in spite of his eligibility, is treated like a criminal? His full finger prints are taken, he is photographed in three positions, he has to pay the expenses of a blood test at a laboratory and get an international vaccination certificate as well? Except for the one case mentioned by my hon. Friend, he has to pay 10 dollars even though he is a British citizen and eligible, and he has to pay the 10 dollars at the increased value of the dollar. Does that not seem unfair?

Mr. Mayhew

If the hon. Member will give a specific instance of the last case he mentioned I will look into it. The rest of his supplementary is a matter for the United States Government.

Mr. Gallacher

While a Government have the right to decide who shall come into their particular territory, does not the Minister agree that when the government of a foreign country take up a particularly bad attitude towards citizens of this country, the Government of this country should be ready to take similar action against their citizens? They do it elsewhere.

Mr. Stokes

Is there any news from Moscow that the Soviet Government propose to lift visas into the U.S.S.R.?

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