§ Mr. Michael Spicerasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make representations to the Government of the United States of America asking them to improve the procedures for processing visas for United Kingdom citizens wishing to travel on a temporary basis to the United States of America, as many British citizens are experiencing more than two months' delay during which they are often in effect deprived of the use of their passports.
§ Mr. RidleyThe American Embassy has assured us that the normal period taken to process postal visa applications is currently three weeks. Personal applicants receive their visas within three or four hours. It remains the policy of Her Majesty's Government to seek the abolition of the visa requirement.