§ Mr. Nigel GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with members of the travel industry about the practice of charging holidaymakers for visas to the United States of America in cases where visas are not required.
§ Mr. Forth[holding answer 3 April 1990]: I have had no discussions with the industry on this issue.
§ Mr. Nigel GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to prohibit the practice of charging holidaymakers for visas to the United States of America in cases where visas are not required.
§ Mr. Forth[holding answer 3 April 1990]: There are no plans to introduce legislation in this area and I have received no representations to indicate that this is a problem which needs to be addressed. There are certain circumstances where the United States visa waiver scheme does not apply to holidaymakers travelling to the USA, and in some cases travellers may desire a visa for reasons of convenience. These holidaymakers would be able to obtain a visa free of charge from the United States embassy or, if they prefer, to pay any adminstrative charge which their travel agent may levy where they provide this service.