HC Deb 27 April 1955 vol 540 cc908-9
3. Mr. Edward Evans

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that widows and other near relatives of men who lost their lives on the D-day landings in Normandy and subsequently have been invited to attend memorial services at Bayeux in June; that they are required to provide themselves with British passports; and whether, in view of the fact that this requirement causes expense and trouble, Her Majesty's Government will waive the demand for passports on exit from and return to this country for these people and make representations to the French authorities inviting them to do the same.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. R. H. Turton)

I regret that Her Majesty's Government cannot agree that these widows and relatives should go to France without any valid travel documents. The organisations sponsoring this pilgrimage have been informed that those who do not possess ordinary passports may be issued with special War Graves passports of short duration for a reduced fee.

Mr. Evans

Is this not a most vexatious and nonsensical prohibition on widows to have to go through all the formalities of getting passports signed when, at the same time, we are going to allow passport-free travel from some of the South Coast ports? Will not the Minister look into this matter again to see if these conditions can be alleviated for these poor people?

Mr. Turton

No, Sir. All persons travelling abroad are expected to have a valid travel document satisfactorily establishing identity and nationality. In fact, the special excursion arrangements recently announced by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Home Secretary include provision for a special identity document to be taken by such travellers.

Mr. Attlee

Would it not be possible on an occasion like this to grant free documents to these people?

Mr. Turton

Arrangements are being made in this case, as in cases of similar journeys sponsored by the British Legion, whereby the travel document is supplied for a very small charge—the charge is 7s. 6d.—and in these cases no formalities, such as the production of a birth certificate, are necessary.

Mr. Attlee

Seven and sixpence is quite a lot to a widow.

Mr. Evans

In view of the very unsatisfactory and disappointing answer, I propose to raise the matter on the Adjournment.