HC Deb 11 March 1976 vol 907 c616
19. Mr. James Lamond

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if there have been any recent changes of criteria for considering applications for visas to visit the United Kingdom.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

No, Sir. Each application is considered on its merits and in the light of circumstances prevailing at the time.

Mr. Lamond

But should not the regulations have been liberalised since the signing of the Helsinki Agreement? If that is so, will my right hon. Friend reconsider his decision about visas for some foreign delegates coming to this country?

Mr. Jenkins

No, I cannot entirely accept what my hon. Friend says. I have made it clear to him that I have no intention of using the visa procedure to prevent the York forum on disarmament from taking place. Equally, merely because it is taking place I am not prepared to relax the normal criteria that I should apply in other circumstances.