§ 17. Mr. Buxtonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make available, as an alternative, passports containing a larger number of pages to avoid the need for constant issue of new passports to those who have to travel frequently abroad.
§ Mr. George ThomsonNo, Sir. I am satisfied there is insufficient demand to justify the administrative difficulties which would be involved in offering an alternative passport containing more than the present 32 pages. Only a fraction of 1 per cent. of the 700,000 issued annually are in replacement of passports which have become full before their date of expiry. Special ararngements exist for business men whose passports become full of visas to obtain a fresh passport quickly and with the minimum formality.
§ Mr. BuxtonWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there are only 27 effective pages of a passport, not 32, which 899 can be used for visas? This is a matter of great inconvenience to overseas salesmen and people connected with the overseas drive?
§ Mr. ThomsonThe Board of Trade, under the Conservative Administration, carried out a survey in 1963 which showed that there was very little demand among businessmen for a larger pasport. A larger passport would also involve a larger fee.