PASSPORTS

HC Deb 13 June 1966 vol 729 cc1020-1

28. Sir S. McAdden

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the annual cost of the organisation for the issue of passports to citizens of the United Kingdom; what is the number of people employed on this work; and whether he will simplify procedure and reduce the cost.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Mrs. Eirene White)

The cost of passport services in the United Kingdom in 1965 was estimated at £1,354,000 and the average number of staff employed was 838. No comparable figures are available for passport work done by our Consular and other representatives abroad. As regards the simplification of procedures, I refer the hon. Member to the Answer given on 26th May by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to the hon. Member for Leeds, North-West (Sir D. Kaberry).

Sir S. McAdden

Does not the right hon. Lady consider that we could have some simplification? Is it necessary for passports to be renewed every five years? If it is thought necessary for them to be renewed in this period in order that there should be some resemblance between the photograph and the holder of the passport, may I point out that there is no such resemblance at all? Why should not the passport last much longer than five years?

Mrs. White

I am sure that the hon. Member's passport photograph is highly flattering to him. We have simplified procedure in recent years by the issue of the simpler form of passport which can be used for tourist purposes. I am sure that the hon. Member approves of that step. But it is not unreasonable to suggest that there should be a five-year renewal period.

Mr. Ridsdale

Do the numbers include the numbers of people employed at the Ministry of Labour in issuing passports? Could not all this be done by the Foreign Office rather than in two offices?

Mrs. White

It was for the convenience of the public that the passports were issued by the Ministry of Labour local offices. The number of staff given is taking an average over the whole, and it includes the main passport offices and the best estimate we can make of the amount of work involved at the local offices of the Ministry of Labour.