HC Deb 01 February 1939 vol 343 cc203-4
1. Mr. De la Bère

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now consider bringing in regulations as regards stamping on passports, alongside the signature, the print of the right thumb of the holder of the passport, solely for the purpose of identification when travelling abroad?

Mr. Butler

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him on 30th November last. I would add that my Noble Friend is by no means satisfied that the results to be expected from the inclusion of thumb or finger prints on passports would be in any way commensurate with the inconvenience and annoyance to applicants for passport facilities.

Mr. De la Bère

In view of further developments, perhaps my right hon. Friend will be kind enough to have a word with me a little later on?

Mr. Gallacher

Will the right hon. Gentleman give very serious consideration to the question of withdrawing passports altogether?

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