§ Mr. Norman Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice he now offers New Commonwealth citizens permanently resident in the United Kingdom who wish to day-travel in Europe without a British or other European Community passport.
§ Mr. WhitneyAll travellers—not only those who are New Commonwealth citizens—should carry a national passport or a travel document acceptable to the authorities of the country to be visited, obtaining a visa 175W where necessary. In case of doubt, they should consult the consulate in the United Kingdom of the country in question.
§ Mr. Norman Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress he has made in the European Community talks about the use of no-passport excursion cards or day trip identity cards by non-European Community nationals resident in the European Community.
§ Mr. WhitneyNo talks are being held within the European Community on the use of no-passport excursion identity cards. The arrangements made under bilateral agreements permitting short visits to Belgium, France and the Netherlands without passports are outside the framework of the treaty establishing the European Community and pre-date our accession. Talks are, however, continuing with the French Government about the 1971 Anglo-French memorandum of understanding relating to the use of these cards.
§ Mr. Norman Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it will be the policy of Her Majesty's Government to issue European Community passports to all persons permanently resident in the United Kingdom irrespective of their nationality or the national passport on which they travel.
§ Mr. WhitneyNo. When the new British passport in the European Community common format is introduced, it will be issued to those British nationals who are entitled to benefit from the European Community provisions relating to the free movement of persons.