HC Deb 30 January 1956 vol 548 cc579-80
7. Mr. Dodds

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that a British subject has to apply for a visa for each visit to Siam; that an American subject is not required to have a visa to enter Siam; and what representations have been made on the matter to secure not less favourable treatment for British subjects.

Lord John Hope

The Thai Government have intimated that they do not desire to enter into general visa abolition agreements with any country. The agreement with the United States, which dates back to 1925, was negotiated in special circumstances.

Mr. Dodds

Why cannot we have equality with the Americans? Why is it that we are not as good as they are in this respect?

Lord John Hope

There is no question at all here of prestige: that does not enter into it. The special agreement with the Thais at the time was due to there being an enormous number of Americans and very few Thai consuls. That was behind this agreement originally.

Mr. Dodds

Cannot we get a special agreement?

Lord John Hope

We do not need one.

8. Mr. Dodds

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the dissatisfaction caused by the need of British subjects to obtain a visa for each visit to Japan; if he is aware that an American subject can secure a visa to enter Japan for any number of visits; and what representations have been made to secure equality of treatment in this respect.

Lord John Hope

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the Hon. Member for Shoreditch and Finsbury (Mr. Collins) on 30th November. The matter is still under discussion. It is complicated by the desire of the Japanese authorities to include certain Colonial Territories in any arrangement made.

Mr. Dodds

Is it not the case that we helped to defeat Japan and that we shared responsibility for occupying that country? If the hon. Gentleman cannot tell us why we cannot get equality with the Americans, can he tell us what the Americans have that we have not?

Mr. Callaghan

Errol Flynn.

Lord John Hope

I could think of an answer or two to the last supplementary question, but the matter is still under discussion.