§ 55. Mr. Shepherdasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what estimate he has made of the amount paid over the last convenient period by British nationals for visas to Spain; how much has been paid by Spanish nationals for visas to Great Britain; and what attempts have been made to reduce or abolish these charges, and with what results.
§ Mr. TurtonIt is estimated that during 1954 250,000 British subjects visited Spain and paid approximately £300,000 for Spanish visas. During the same period the 10,706 Spanish nationals who landed in the United Kingdom paid approximately £10,000 for their visas.
Earlier this year the Spanish authorities were asked once more to consider the 63W negotiation of a visa abolition agreement but replied that they are unable to contemplate this. They have also declined an invitation to reduce their fees to the level of those charged by Her Majesty's Government.
§ 89. Mr. Hydeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs for what countries British travellers require to be in possession of passports with the appropriate visas.
§ Mr. TurtonBritish subjects require passports with the appropriate visas or their equivalent for travel to all countries except ones with which Her Majesty's Government have made arrangements for the abolition of visas.
Following is a list of countries with which arrangements have been made for the reciprocal abolition of visas:
- Austria.
- Belgium.
- Cuba.
- Denmark.
- Finland.
- France.
- Federal German Republic.
- Greece.
- Iceland.
- Italy.
- Luxembourg.
- Monaco.
- Netherlands.
- Norway.
- Portugal.
- The Saar.
- San Marino.
- Sweden.
- Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
- Turkey.
§ 90. Mr. Hydeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he has taken to conclude visa abolition agreements with those countries which still require British travellers to them to obtain visas.
§ Mr. TurtonIn April this year the Spanish Government were invited to conclude a visa abolition agreement but replied that they were unable to do so.