HC Deb 03 May 1965 vol 711 cc892-3
2. Mr. Francis Noel-Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will discuss with the Governments of European countries the extension of passport free travel and the removal of other obstacles to travellers between Europe and the United Kingdom.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. George Thomson)

We already have bilateral agreements with a substantial number of European countries, permitting people from this country to travel on simplified "British visitors passports" for short-term visits. In return we have negotiated agreements under which the nationals of some of these countries can enter Britain for visits up to three months on production of an identity card and a British Visitors Card. We are at present discussing the extension of these arrangements to Austria.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Welcome though these improvements are, my hon. Friend will be aware that there are other obstacles, including the very slow and tedious Customs facilities, which compare very badly with other parts of Europe. Will he recall the hope expressed some years ago by Ernest Bevin about getting rid of passports and going where-ever he wanted? Will my right hon. Friend say that we are working in that direction?

Mr. Thomson

Yes, I recall Ernest Bevin's famous phrase very well, and it is the purpose of the present Government to move in that direction. I will certainly bear my hon. Friend's remarks in mind in this consideration.

Lady Tweedsmuir

In what respect do the new documents issued to British citizens by the Gibraltar Passport Office differ from the old, and why have these changes been made?

Mr. Thomson

That is a quite different question.

Sir A. Meyer

In view of the recent misunderstandings over the issue of passports to "beat" groups and others, will the Minister of State make it perfectly plain that it is the right of every British citizen to have a passport on request, subject to considerations of a criminal nature?

Mr. Thomson

Yes; I am glad to have the opportunity to make it clear that it is the right of every citizen to have a passport. Equally, there is an obligation on every Government to give good advice to their younger citizens about some of the dangers of employment overseas.