§ 42. Mr. SITCHasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can see his way to effect any reduction in the sum of 7s. 6d. at present charged for passports, issued by the Passport Office, Lake Buildings, St. James's Park, to persons desiring to visit France, having regard to 1077 the additional 8s. charged for endorsement at the French passport office, which unduly increases the initial expenses to persons of small means, before being able to cross the Channel?
Mr. HARMSWORTHHaving regard to the fact that a British passport is valid for any number of journeys for two years and can be renewed for four successive periods of two years each on payment of the sum of 2s., I do not consider that the initial fee of 7s. 6d. is excessive. Moreover, this fee is below the average of the fees charged for passports in other countries and in our own Dominions. In cases of established hardship passports are issued gratis.