HC Deb 08 February 1939 vol 343 cc913-4
1. Sir Joseph Leech

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the overwhelming work in connection with passport applications renders it a physical impossibility for British passport control officers to deal with approved applications within a reasonable time; and will he, therefore, now again augment the British staffs in the principal cities of Germany and Austria by appointing at least 250 more passport control officers?

The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Butler)

The question of reinforcing the passport control staffs in Germany is constantly under revision, and further additions have recently been made to the personnel at Berlin and Vienna. My Noble Friend is, however, satisfied that an increase in the number of passport control officers on the scale suggested would not result in a proportionate increase in the rate at which it would be possible to grant visas, since this is dependent only in part upon the work performed by there officers in Germany.