§ 2. Mr. Arbuthnotasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has now considered the petition extensively signed by members of the British resident community in Tangier, submitted to Her Majesty's Consul-General there, complaining of the inconvenience suffered by them under the existing Moroccan visa regulations; in view of the long-standing friendship between Great Britain and Morocco, what progress he is making in negotiating an agreement for the mutual abolition of visas; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Selwyn Lloyd)My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and I have given careful consideration to the questions raised in the petition from the British resident community in Tangier. I am glad to inform my hon. Friend that instructions will shortly be sent to Her Majesty's Ambassador at Rabat to approach the Moroccan Government with a view to the negotiation of an agreement with Morocco for the mutual abolition of visas. In the light of the long-standing friendship between our two countries, I should welcome such an arrangement.
§ Mr. ArbuthnotIs my right hon. and learned Friend aware with what satisfaction his reply will be read by the residents of Tangier, who will be extremely grateful for the steps that he has taken?