HC Deb 28 April 1955 vol 540 c1044
4. Sir J. Lucas

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the day trips from London to France and Belgium, without passports, are one-way traffic only or if reciprocity is intended, thus increasing our foreign earnings; and if he will expedite his decision.

Major Lloyd-George

Her Majesty's Government accept the principle of reciprocity as between this country and France and it is hoped, in consultation with the French Government, to settle the detailed conditions in the near future. So far as I am aware no proposals have been made for similar excursions to or from Belgium.

Mr. Teeling

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the discussions and preparations which have been made for these cross-Channel trips are now very far advanced and that a good deal of money has been spent on them? If anything were to go wrong on the French side, it would cause a lot of financial damage in our area. Will my right hon. and gallant Friend ensure, therefore, that the Foreign Office gets in touch as soon as possible with the French Foreign Office as, I understand, the French Ministry of the Interior is quite agreeable to things going on as have so far been arranged?

Major Lloyd-George

I can certainly give that assurance, because I am most anxious that this matter should be brought to a successful conclusion.