§ 24. Mr. F. Noel-Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what recent discussions have taken place with officials from other countries regarding reciprocal arrangements for travel without passports; which countries were involved; and what was the result.
§ Mr. R. AllanMy right hon. Friend the Home Secretary made an announcement on this subject on 26th March last. This was that Her Majesty's Government are prepared to negotiate bilateral agreements with member countries of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation. Under these nationals of those countries coming to the United Kingdom for short visits may produce an identity card of the standard model recommended by the Tourism Committee of the Organisation in place of a passport. Following this, discussions took place in September with representatives of the Benelux countries with a view to the conclusion of such agreements. A 396 draft Exchange of Notes was agreed which the Governments concerned are now considering further.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerDoes not the Under-Secretary agree that this is very slow and meagre progress? Is it not high time that we got on with the job of sweeping away a very large part of the antiquated system of travel formalities which may have been appropriate to the time when journeys which now take hours took days? Will he take note of the wise remarks made some years ago by the late Ernie Bevin on this subject?