HC Deb 01 May 1957 vol 569 cc171-2
2. Mr. Gower

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the difficulties experienced by some Welsh tourists and travellers abroad at certain foreign passport offices, particularly in countries in Eastern Europe, in respect of British passports which describe the country of birth and residence as Wales, but which carry an endorsement describing Liverpool as the place of issue, he will institute a Welsh passport office in the Principality for the issue of these documents.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Ian Harvey)

No, Sir. I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. and learned Friend gave him in answer to a similar Question on 27th April, 1953. I have no knowledge of any Welsh national having experienced any difficulty arising from the fact that his passport was issued in Liverpool and his residence given as Wales. Local passport work would not justify the expense and manpower involved in opening a branch passport office in view of the fact that Ministry of Labour and National Service offices in Wales are empowered to deal with passport matters.

Mr. Gower

But is my hon. Friend aware that this Question is based on the actual experience of Welsh businessmen who have assured me that they find it extremely difficult to explain this apparent discrepancy to passport officers, particularly in Eastern Europe, and that their desire to remain anonymous is based on apprehension about their future treatment in these countries? Further, does not my hon. Friend agree that this would be an appropriate change to make now that Cardiff has been made the capital of Wales?

Mr. Harvey

With regard to the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary, I shall be only too glad to look at any specific cases which he cares to bring to my attention. With regard to the second part, I should like to make it clear that there is no question of national issues arising in the matter. It is only a matter of what the number of applications would justify. We do not think that at the moment the number of applications would justify this arrangement.