§ Mr. ANSTRUTHER-GRAYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any progress has recently been 384W made in the negotiations for the abolition of visa fees between Great Britain and the United States of America?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe number of visitors from the United States to this country in 1932 was about 85,000. I have no information on which the average expenditure per head can be accurately estimated; I regret in any case that, having regard to the present financial situation, it is not possible for His Majesty's Government to reduce the present visa charge. The matter is a complicated one and will continue to be watched. In this connection I would mention that, although the charge for a French visa for United States citizens is only two dollars there are further charges which raise the total fees in connection with embarkation and disembarkation at Cherbourg to approximately 10 dollars for first-class passengers. As the House is aware, United States citizens taking part in an organised tour to this country and staying not more than 14 days are charged a reduced fee of two dollars for visas.