§ Mr. GOULDasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) if, in view of the restrictions imposed by the United States Government on the free entry of responsible British citizens into the United States ex-British steamers when bound there on urgent business, these restrictions have 1164W been imposed as a result of agreement with the respective Governments; and whether the same restrictions on American citizens travelling, or desiring to travel, to this country are about to be enforced;
- (2) whether passports granted to British subjects to travel to, and land in, the United States of America for urgent personal and business reasons are subject to the approval of the American Government prior to sailing from this country; whether the majority of applications to the American authorities are being refused; and is undue discrimination being shown by the' American authorities;
- (3) whether British passenger steamers trading to the United States can only land there British commercial men and women with the consent of the United States Government; if there is any foundation. for the impression that the United States Government are using British passenger vessels to facilitate the trading facilities of their own citizens, at the same time excluding British citizens from the opportunity of developing their American and Canadian trade, in favour of American commercial men; and whether he will take steps to impose the same rigid inspection of passports granted by the American Government to prevent the arrival in this country of American citizens unless on Government business?
Mr. HARMSWORTHI understand that the temporary difficulties referred to in the hon. Member's questions have arisen in consequence of the extreme shortage of shipping accommodation and the need for giving priority to returning soldiers and their dependants. All persons wishing to land in the United States of America must in accordance with what is now the practice followed by most countries have their passports visé by the United States Consular authorities, and in consequence of the lack of accommodation available I understand that the visa is, for the time being, only granted in special cases of urgent necessity for immediate travelling. All persons, coming from the United States of America to the United Kingdom already have to obtain the visa of the British Control Office at New York, but the accommodation available on ships coming to this country is not such as to render equally severe restrictions necessary. I understand that a material improvement in the situation may be anticipated in the courses of the next two or three months.
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§ Mr. GOULDasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if. British liners engaged on passenger traffic between this country and the United States will be diverted from American to Canadian ports in order to give British citizens opportunities to re-open and redevelop their Transatlantic trade; and if he will compel these British liners to give preference to British and Canadian citizens, both for outwards and homeward passages?
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Mr. HARMSWORTHShipping being now generally in the shipowners' hands, the question is one for the shipping lines concerned, who will doubtless safeguard British interests. Under agreements made with the lines for the repatriation of Canadian troops, the great majority of the passenger liners do at present call at Canadian ports on their outward voyage to New York.