HC Deb 23 November 1960 vol 630 cc1120-1
23. Mr. Dodds

asked the Lord Privy Seal what decisions he has taken which will simplify and reduce the cost entailed in the present passport system for holidays abroad and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Heath

No final decision has yet been taken, but I hope to make a statement shortly.

Mr. Dodds

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for indicating that there will be a change. When he makes his statement, will he explain why on 25th July when I asked for a simplification for people going on holidays abroad the spokesman from the Foreign Office said that it was absolutely necessary to have passports? What has happened to alter that decision in such a short time?

Mr. Heath

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will await my statement and see whether it meets his needs. Then he need not argue about the past.

Mr. Langford-Holt

Will my right hon. Friend make quite clear that a British subject has a right to enter and leave this country without a passport if he so wishes?

Mr. Heath

I think that my hon. Friend is technically quite correct.

Mr. C. Royle

On the question of the passport system, will the right hon. Gentleman say which documents were necessary for the hon. Lady the Member for Tynemouth (Dame Irene Ward) to transfer from the back benches to the Front Bench?

Mr. Heath

I think that my hon. Friend is here to assist my right hon. Friend the Patronage Secretary.