§ 7. Mr. Thomas Coxasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the rules governing the use by a married woman of a joint husband and wife passport.
§ Mr. Anthony RoyleUnder an international agreement, which was reviewed in 1963, a wife cannot travel on a family passport without her husband.
§ Mr. CoxSurely the hon. Gentleman is aware that that ruling is both outdated and unfair. Many women nowadays are able to travel abroad, and especially if they have young children they like to take them on day trips to the Continent. When 980 they have valid passports, why is it that they are not allowed to use them but are forced into the inconvenience and considerable expense of getting additional passports? As the matter was last reviewed in 1963, will the hon. Gentleman look at it again with some urgency?
§ Mr. RoyleI understand the hon. Gentleman's viewpoint but we are cramped by international agreement. Although it is a long-standing practice, the family passport has distinct disadvantages in that families often take up residence abroad on a family passport and are in difficulties if they have to travel separately in an emergency. It is really for family holiday purposes and I would not recommend it for any other use.
§ Miss FookesIs my hon. Friend aware that the reform of this matter was advocated in a Conservative Party pamphlet, accepted at the party conference by the then Shadow Cabinet and prepared by the present Solicitor-General? Could we have a rather more satisfactory answer?
§ Mr. RoyleI have noted the very powerful argument which my hon. Friend has put forward. In spite of what I have said before, in view of her comments and those of the hon. Member for Wands-worth, Central (Mr. Thomas Cox), I am prepared to look into the matter again.