§ 21. Mr. Doddsasked the Lord Privy Seal if he can yet make a statement about simplifying and reducing the cost in the present passport system for holidays abroad.
§ 47. Mr. Mathewasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has now reached a decision on the question of simplified passport arrangements.
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Edward Heath)Her Majesty's Government have now decided to issue a simplified travel document for the use of British nationals making short visits to certain European countries.
This Tourist Passport, which will be in the form of a two-page card, will be obtainable from Labour Exchanges and will be valid for twelve months from the date of issue.
The price will be 7s. 6d, and it will be available at no extra cost as a family passport. That is, it will cover husband and wife where desired, and children under 16 may also be included.
If the necessary arrangements with other countries have been completed it is hoped that the cards will be available for use by Easter, 1961.
§ Mr. DoddsIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that that is splendid news, which will be welcomed by perhaps millions of ordinary people who like a fortnight abroad? Can he say whether or not, in order to be able to qualify for one of these simplified cards, there is no need to read through a long application form, as there is in the case of a passport? Generally when a person has read through the application form he is too tired to go on holiday. Will it be necessary to comb the countryside in order to find some distinguished gentleman to sign it, knowing full well that a criminal does not have any trouble in doing so?
§ Mr. HeathThe whole process will be greatly simplified. No person will be required to vouch, but there will be penalties if false information is given.
§ Mr. MathewI thank my right hon. Friend for this welcome if somewhat modest step. Will he confirm that this is only a first step in a resolute campaign to sweep away the tangle of frontier formalities which separate this country from its neighbours, and to which I and other hon. Members drew the attention of his Department in an Adjournment debate at the end of July?