HC Deb 17 June 1953 vol 516 cc954-5
18. Mr. Tilney

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what further progress has been made for the mutual abolition of visas between members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

Mr. Nutting

I am glad to say that since my reply to the hon. Gentleman on 9th March last agreement has been reached between Her Majesty's Government and the Greek Government for the mutual abolition of visas. This Agreement came into force on 16th June.

Mr. Tilney

Will my hon. Friend carry on his successful reciprocal arrangement with other members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation?

Mr. Nutting

As I informed my hon. Friend on 12th November and also on 9th March, the position is that we have mutual abolition agreements with every member of N.A.T.O. except the United States and Portugal. The United States is a special case because, as my hon. Friend knows, the immigration laws will not permit such agreement. So far as Portugal is concerned, we have taken the matter up but not yet with any success.