asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he anticipates he will soon be in a position to abolish visas between the United Kingdom and France.

The purpose of the requirement that foreigners seeking admission to this country must first obtain a British visa is to ensure, so far as possible, that the journey is not undertaken by those to whom, in present circumstances, it would be necessary to refuse leave to land at the port of arrival. Every effort is made to avoid delay in granting visas to French citizens who have good reasons to come here, particularly business visitors, but on balance I think that the advantage lies in maintaining the requirement for the present.