§ Captain F. Noel-Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the purpose of the present arrangement requiring British subjects desiring to visit France and French subjects desiring to visit the United Kingdom, to obtain visas; and whether he will approach the French Government with a view to abolishing this arrangement.
Mr. McNeil:So long as there are difficulties of food and accommodation in this country there must be restrictions on the entry of foreigners. The purpose of the requirement that foreigners seeking admission must obtain a British visa is to ensure so far as possible that the journey is not undertaken by persons to whom in present circumstances it would be necessary to refuse leave to land at the port of arrival. There can unfortunately be no question of abolishing visas at the present time, but, as I informed the House in reply to a Question on 8th April, it is the object of His Majesty's Government to make it 441W progressively easier for the nationals of neighbouring countries to pay visits to the United Kingdom.