HL Deb 01 March 1982 vol 427 cc1114-5

2.51 p.m.

Lord Bethell

My Lords, 1 beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the United States Government about the fact that their citizens require no visa to visit the United Kingdom, whereas United Kingdom citizens all require visas to visit the United States.

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, representations were made to the United States Administration during the visit to Washington of my right honourable friend the Prime Minister in February 1981. A Bill has been introduced into the House of Representatives, which is intended to abolish the requirement for visas for visitors from certain countries, including the United Kingdom. The subject is also under consideration in the Senate. We are in frequent touch with the United States authorities on this matter.

Lord Bethell

My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for that rather encouraging reply. I wonder, though, whether he will consider consulting with our nine European Community partners on this point, with a view to making a joint approach to the American Administration to encourage the passing through the Congress of this Bill, which would certainly improve relations between the United States and European nations, all of whom, I believe, would qualify under the Non-Immigrant Visa Waiver Bill.

Lord Trefgarne

Certainly, my Lords, there is a good deal of interest in the European Community in this matter. Indeed, I can tell my noble friend that the subject has been discussed informally within the political co-operation machinery. But, of course, action now rests with the United States authorities.

Lord Harmar-Nicholls

My Lords, can my noble friend say whether or not any member of the Community other than ourselves has made the representations which, apparently, have brought about quite a happy response, as he has announced to my noble friend Lord Bethell?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, I could not answer that question without notice. I am not certain, anyway, whether we would necessarily be aware of representations made between two other Governments.

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