§ 52. Mr. Skeffington-Lodgeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent private visits by Germans to this country have taken place since they were permitted.
§ Mr. MayhewThe number of United Kingdom visas issued under the scheme introduced in May, 1948, whereby private visits by Germans to this country were allowed, is approximately 14,500.
§ Mr. Skeffington-LodgeIs my hon. Friend aware that the currency regulations in Germany make it impossible for Germans to pay their own fares to this country, and that the regulations here make it impossible for British hosts to pay money to Germans so that they can make visits to this country, and does that not make nonsense of the permission which has been given for Germans to come to this country on a private basis?
§ Mr. MayhewGermans are still coming to this country. I am considering the question of fares, but British hosts can still send sterling for subsistence expenses when they are coming here.