HC Deb 11 July 1979 vol 970 cc443-4
1. Mr. Shersby

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will initiate discussions with the Government of the United States of America with a view to abolishing the requirement for British subjects to obtain a visa before entering the United States of America.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Nicholas Ridley)

Since the United Kingdom unilaterally abolished the visa requirement for United States citizens in 1948, the American Government have been well aware that we regard a reciprocal waiver of visas for United Kingdom citizens as highly desirable. A recent recommendation by the United States Senate that their visa requirement should be waived for certain visitors is under consideration by the United States Government. It is to be hoped that this will produce the result which we have long sought.

Mr. Shersby

Is my hon. Friend aware that the House is grateful for that reply? Will he press the United States Government on this matter? I am sure that many hon. Members find it objectionable that British subjects are required to queue daily in Grosvenor Square to go through this bureaucratic procedure. I hope he agrees that it is about time that British subjects were treated on the same basis as United States citizens.

Mr. Ridley

My hon. Friend's question will contribute to that which he seeks. We in the Government will certainly add what we can.

Mr. Emery

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that the delay often experienced at the United States Embassy by British citizens requesting visas is, if not considerable, at least worrying? That contributes also to the annoyance. That is quite wrong when we have many friends here from America, and it should be corrected.

Mr. Ridley

As American citizens are not required to obtain a visa to come here, I hope that the United States Government will be able to waive the requirement altogether, as requested in my hon. Friend's question.

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