§ 33. Mr. Draysonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now permit coloured photographs to be used on passports.
§ Mr. Ian HarveyNo, Sir. Until my right hon. and learned Friend can be satisfied that coloured photographs will retain their colour for ten years, the life of a British passport, he is not prepared to authorise their use.
§ Mr. Draysonis my hon. Friend aware that the authorities in the United States are to permit coloured photographs on passports as from 1st February this year? Does he not think that British travellers are entitled to the same concession?
§ Mr. HarveyWhile I appreciate my hon. Friend's desire to appear in glorious Technicolor, I would point out that American passports are valid, in the first instance, for two years and are renewable for a further two years, after which they finally expire: so the situation is quite different.