HC Deb 22 May 1950 vol 475 cc1645-6
54. Sir W. Smiles

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will examine the cost of visas for British subjects passing through or flying over some foreign countries, with a view to making the charge by this country uniform with that charged on His Majesty's subjects by the countries concerned.

Mr. Younger

The position regarding visa charges is complicated. With the hon. and gallant Member's permission, I will circulate a statement on the subject in the OFFICIAL REPORT. If the hon. and gallant Member will let me have particulars of any excessive fees charged to British subjects, I shall be happy to look into the matter.

Sir W. Smiles

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the cost of flying over Iraq is extremely high?

Mr. Younger

I would need notice before dealing with the case of any particular country.

Following is the statement:

As a result of a conference held in Paris in 1920, the fee charged by United Kingdom officials for a transit visa was fixed at one gold franc. When, after the war, many countries went off the gold standard, the fee was fixed at 1s. 6d. The question of raising this fee to 2s. 6d. in view of the revaluation of sterling is at present under consideration.

Reciprocal agreements for the abolition of visas have been concluded with many European countries, and, of course, in the case of these countries no question of visa fees arises. Moreover, transit visas are in general not required by foreigners who are passing in transit by air through this country if they are continuing their journey by the next available aircraft.

If, however, a foreign country levies visa fees from British subjects considerably in excess of what we regard as the standard fee it is usual to make a corresponding increase in the fee to be paid by nationals of that country for British visas.