HL Deb 27 October 1987 vol 489 cc409-10

2.43 p.m.

Lord Boyd-Carpenter

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to secure an adequate service to the public from the Passport Office.

The Minister of State, Home Office (The Earl of Caithness)

My Lords, all the passport offices, with the exception of the one in London, are now providing an efficient service by dealing with properly completed applications within 12 working days. In the London office, service to the public was again disrupted by industrial action during September and October but this has now ended. In the longer term computerisation of the passport issuing system, due to begin in Glasgow in July 1988, is designed to provide a quicker and more efficient service to the public especially at times of peak demand.

Lord Boyd-Carpenter

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that moderately satisfactory Answer. May I ask him why, when a passport has to be renewed after the 10-year period, it cannot simply be renewed with a further stamp on it when there is room, and why a new book has to be created by the Passport Office at great cost in time, labour and expense?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, I am afraid I do not know. If I may, I will write to my noble friend.

Lord Mishcon

My Lords, will the noble Earl accept a suggestion? After 10 years' use, the British passport may not look as respectable as it should.

The Earl of Lauderdale

My Lords, if the Minister is going to write to my noble friend, could he not put the answer in Hansard? My passport is running out and I want to renew it with the minimum of expense and trouble.

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, if my noble friend applies to the Passport Office he will have his passport renewed in the usual manner, because the delays that were evident as reported to your Lordships' House in July of this year have been reduced. The seven-week waiting period in London is being rapidly reduced and we hope that London will be on normal working as soon as possible.

Lord Mowbray and Stourton

My Lords, does my noble friend believe that if a passport went beyond 10 years he or any Customs officer would be able to recognise the person in the photograph?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, it all depends on the person.