§ 61. Dame Irene Wardasked the Lord Privy Seal, in view of the desirability of encouraging East-West trade, when he intends to increase and accelerate the provision of the travel documents granted to those individuals from the German Democratic Republic who will be visiting this country for purposes of discussion with United Kingdom exporters.
§ Mr. HeathAs I informed the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Easington (Mr. Shinwell) on 13th March, the relaxation of the restrictions on the provision of travel documents imposed last autumn has now been completed.
§ Dame Irene WardCan my right hon. Friend explain whether it will make it easier for people from the G.D.R. who wish to inspect what we have to offer in this country to obtain travel documents to get here? Can he please arrange for Her Majesty's Consul in Berlin to be able to give travel documents without having to go through the delaying and irritating channel of the Occupying Authorities?
§ Mr. HeathAs far as an application for temporary travel documents is concerned, this will, of course, make it easier for these people to come to this country, but I am afraid it will still be necessary for them to go through the quadripartite machinery which has been agreed. There is then the question of a visa to come to this country which must be added to the T.T.D., and that is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.
§ Mr. HealeyWill not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is absurd that 23 there should be greater restrictions on the travel of G.D.R. citizens to this country than to the Federal Republic of Germany, and will he assure the House that he will take steps to ensure that contact between the G.D.R. and this country is no more difficult than it is between the G.D.R. and the Federal Republic of Germany?
§ Mr. HeathI do not think that situation can be reached without upsetting the existing arrangement between the two parts of Germany, because the argument always has been that the two parts are the same.
§ Sir A. V. HarveyIs my right hon. Friend aware that some of the Occupying Powers, when their turn comes round to issue permits or to put their signatures to documents, deliberately delay doing so to baulk people intending to travel to Britain in the hope that they will go to their own country and place their orders there? Will my right hon. Friend look into this?
§ Mr. HeathI have no evidence of that. If my hon. Friend sends me any cases, I will look into them at once.
§ Dame Irene WardIt is true.