§ Sir W. Wakefieldasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are being taken to speed up the granting of the necessary passport facilities for Danish subjects desiring to visit this country on business, in view of the delay of several weeks now taking place.
§ Mr. OliverThe British passport control officer in Copenhagen, as in other countries, has for some months now been authorised to grant, without reference to London, visas to foreign business men wishing to visit this country, if they can satisfy the Commercial Counsellor at the British Embassy that their proposed business is substantial and of definite value to the trade or industry of the United Kingdom. If the hon. Member will send me any specific instances of unreasonable delay in granting a visa, I will have inquiries made. The hon. Member will, however, appreciate that the immediate grant of a visa, which is of limited validity, serves no useful purpose if no facilities for transport are available.