§ Sir W. de FRECEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any progress has recently been made in the negotiations with the United States Government for the abolition of visa fees between the two countries; and whether he will consider the immediate provisional abolition of visa fees for American 1486W subjects into this country in order to stimulate tourist traffic?
Mr. HENDERSONAs I am informed the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Chorley (Mr. Hacking) on 24th February last, His Majesty's Government, after a thorough consideration of this question, came to the conclusion that, in view of the financial sacrifice involved, it is not possible to abolish or reduce the existing fee at the present time. I regret, therefore, that it is not possible to give effect to the suggestion made by the hon. Member.