§ Sir E. HUME-WILLIAMSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the fact that the charge now being made for the necessary visa on the passport of an intending traveller from this country to Germany is 25s.; and whether he will endeavour to obtain from the German authorities a reduction of this charge to a more reasonable sum?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONThe actual position is not quite as stated by my hon. and learned Friend, the fact being that the fees charged for German visas granted to British subjects are based on a scale varying according to the nature of the visa to be granted. The lowest charge is 2s. for a visa valid for a single journey and return or for transit through Germany with a validity of three days; the highest fee charged is £3 for a visa valid for any number of journeys during a period of 12 months; the fee of 25s. mentioned by the hon. and learned Member is for a visa valid for any number of journeys during a period of three months. A proposal for the abolition of visas between Great Britain and Germany has recently been received from the German Government and is at present under consideration.