§ 2. Mr. DAYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number of British passports at present in existence issued either by the British Foreign Office in England or by consular representatives abroad?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINSo far as it is possible to say, the total number of valid British passports now in existence issued in the United Kingdom and at British Consulates abroad would be approximately 2,606,000.
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI am not quite certain, I probably could, with notice, but I could not give them without notice.
§ 3. Mr. DAYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any cases have been brought to his notice during the past 12 months of unlawful traffic in British passports issued outside of Great Britain; and, if so, can he give particulars?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThe hon. Member has, no doubt, in mind, the reports which have recently appeared in the Press as to the traffic in passports in Cyprus. A telegram on this subject has been received from the officer administering the Government of Cyprus which indicates that irregularities are not so widespread as has been suggested. Three clerks have been brought to trial on the charge of conspiracy to obtain false certificates of British nationality. The matter is still under investigation in Cyprus.
§ Mr. DAYCan the right hon. Gentleman assure us that none of these clerks who have been brought to trial is of British nationality?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI think they are Cypriotes, and therefore British subjects. I cannot speak confidently without notice.