HC Deb 26 May 1950 vol 475 cc299-301W
Captain Bullock

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give further particulars about the decision of the Brussels Treaty Powers to institute a cultural identity card which, will give additional facilities to teachers, research workers, artists, scientists and others to obtain additional foreign currency and cheap transport in order to encourage them to travel and reside abroad to improve their professional knowledge and do research work; and who will be the issuing authority for such cards in this country; whether the facilities will be available during 1950; and what steps are to be taken to make the arrangements known to all concerned.

Mr. Ernest Davies

The Brussels Treaty cultural identity card will be available to nationals of the Brussels Treaty countries for

  1. (a) Visits associated with the professional duties of or research by teaching staff of universities, technical 300 colleges and schools, adult educationalists, librarians, museum staff, archivists, advanced research workers, architects, pictorial artists, sculptors, musicians, actors and producers, it being understood that the card would not be issued to persons travelling mainly for commercial ends.
  2. (b) Attendance at a university or other institute of learning for at least one term by persons who have attained their first degree (e.g. B.A., B.Sc., etc.).

The following organisations have undertaken to issue cards in this country:

Organisation Category of persons to whom cards may be issued
Ministry of Education, Curzon St., London, W.1. Teachers in England and Wales.
Scottish Education Department, St. Andrew's House, Edinburgh, 1. Teachers in Scotland.
Ministry of Education, Belfast. Teachers in Northern Ireland.
Association of Universities of the British Commonwealth, 5, Gordon Square, London, W.C.1. Teaching staff and students of universities.
The Royal Society, Burlington House, London, W.1. Certain scientists who are not members of Universities.
Library Association, Chaucer House, Malet Place, London, W.C.1. Librarians and archivists.
Museums Association, Meteorological Buildings, Exhibition Road. London, S.W.7. Museum staff.
Tate Gallery, Millbank, London, S.W.1. Painters and sculptors.
Royal Academy of Music, York Gate, Marylebone, Road, London, N.W.1. Musicians.
Royal College of Music, Prince Consort Road, South Kensington, London, S.W.7. Musicians.
Royal Institute of British Architects, 66, Portland Place, London, W.1. Architects.
National Institute of Adult Education, 55, Queen Anne Street, London, W.1. Adult educationalists.
Society of Industrial Artists, Empire House (R.243), St. Martin's-le-Grand, London, E.C.1. Industrial artists.
British Centre of the International Theatre Institute, 9, St. Martin's Court, London, W.C.2. Actors and producers.

The facilities offered by the five countries to holders of the card will be available during 1950. They vary from country to country and full details are contained in a handbook which will be issued with each card; the particulars can be obtained from the issuing authorities.

A number of the issuing authorities publish their own journals or bulletins, and they have been asked to refer to the cultural identity card scheme in their next issues. In addition, the Brussels Treaty Permanent Commission have given information about the card to the Press.

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