§ 1. Brigadier-General NATIONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what has been the effect, both as regards numbers of passports issued and money received for them, since the present increased charges were introduced?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Eden)The figures as to passports issued and fees received between 19th October, 1931, and 18th June, 1932, are as follow:
- Passports issued, 42,199.
- Fees received, £30,774.
§ For the same period in1930–31, the figures were:
- Passports issued, 98,561.
- Fees received, £36,458.
§ I am unable to estimate the effect of the increased fees on the number of passports applied for, but the decrease in foreign travel is no doubt mainly due to economic conditions, and to the appeal made by His Majesty's Government to British subjects to take their holidays in this country.
1782§ Major COLFOXCan the hon. Gentleman say whether the Government have any intention of abolishing the system of passports altogether?