§ Mr. Dodsworthasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received any representations from applicants for passports who have been caused delay and inconvenience due to the length of time taken to process applications by each of the regional passport offices; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LuardA number of representations have been received from people concerned about the length of time they have had to wait for their passports. This 773W position has arisen as a result of a sudden increase in demand this year of over 40 per cent. Priority is given to issuing passports by the travel dates indicated by applicants and the processing of non-urgent cases is currently taking longer than the customary four weeks. A substantial increase in staff levels has been authorised which will go some way towards alleviating this year's difficulties. Long term measures to avoid excessive delays in future years are being looked at urgently.
§ Mr. Dodsworthasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the average length of time for each of he regional passport offices between the receipt of applications and the date of issue of passports.
§ Mr. LuardPriority is given to issuing passports by the date of travel indicated by applicants. In consequence of the heavy and unexpected increase in demand this year, the current average time taken to issue non-urgent passports at each of the offices is as follows:
London 5–6 weeks Liverpool 5–6 weeks Glasgow 5 weeks Peterborough 7 weeks Newport 5 weeks
§ Mr. Dodsworthasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the average length of time taken by each of the regional passport offices before applications are opened; and whether there is a deliberate policy of delay in the process of such applications.
§ Mr. LuardMy right hon. Friend regrets that there is a delay in the opening of applications for passports. This is certainly not due to any deliberate policy of delay. Because of the exceptionally heavy increase in demand for passports the number of postal packages received has exceeded staff capability despite overtime and weekend working. Average opening times at each office are as follows:
London 5 days Liverpool 4 days Glasgow 2 days Peterborough 6–7 days Newport 9 days