§ Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government will take steps to ensure that a United Kingdom passport will be as effective as a European passport for all purposes.
§ Mr. RowlandsThe proposal is that national passports issued by member States shall be in a uniform style whose validity as a travel document will be no different from that of the present passport.
§ Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether citizens of EEC countries will still need passports when travelling between countries within the EEC when they have been issued with European passports.
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§ Mr. RowlandsThere will be no change in the arrangements whereby citizens of EEC countries may travel between member countries with either a passport or an identity card.
§ Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the purpose of the proposed European passport.
§ Mr. RowlandsThe proposal for national passports in a uniform style arose out of a consideration of the possibility of establishing a Passport Union. Possession of the passport will demonstrate that the holder is a national of a member State of the European Community.
§ Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it is proposed to have a central register of European passports in Brussels; or whether each nation within the EEC will keep its own central register.
§ Mr. RowlandsEach issuing State will keep its own records.
§ Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government will have the right to withdraw a European passport from a passport holder.
§ Mr. RowlandsThere will be no change in the present practice.
§ Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, when discussing the future of the proposed European passport, the Government will give an assurance that it will be an optional passport for those who prefer to have a United Kingdom passport.
§ Mr. RowlandsThe uniform passport will be a United Kingdom passport.
§ Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether special provision will be made for holders of United Kingdom passports who are Commonwealth citizens not resident or domiciled in the United Kingdom if European passports are brought in.
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§ Mr. RowlandsCommonwealth citizens do not normally hold United Kingdom passports. The uniform-style EEC passport will be issued only to persons who are nationals of a member State and have a right of abode in that State. Suitable provision will be made for others.
§ Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether European passports will continue to be issued and serviced by each nation State of the EEC.
§ Mr. RowlandsThe uniform passport will be issued and serviced by each nation State.