§ 49. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the principles on which he acts in granting and in refusing visas to persons desiring to visit this country; and what means of appeal there are from his decision to refuse a visa.
§ Mr. RentonA visa to visit the United Kingdom is normally granted unless the applicant is personally unacceptable or there are reasonable grounds for concluding that he would not be willing and able to leave this country at the end of the permitted period of stay. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the Answer my right hon. Friend gave to a Question on this subject by the hon. and learned Member for Ipswich (Mr. D. Foot) on 9th February.
§ Mr. HughesWould it not be reasonable to administer this branch of a Government Department in a way which would enable potential visitors and guests to plan in advance? The fact that this is not done causes a great deal of inconvenience.
§ Mr. RentonSo far as possible, we attempt to administer this policy in a way which will enable people to plan in advance. If the hon. Member has any case in mind in which that has not happened, perhaps he will be so good as to let me have particulars of it.