§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Lord Privy Seal what is the composition, function and cost to public funds of the Belfast agency of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
§ Mr. LuceThe Foreign and Commonwealth Office passport agency in Belfast provides passport services for Northern Ireland residents. It is staffed by a higher executive officer and seven clerical officers. The estimated cost of the agency for the current financial year is £63,500. This burden will not fall on the general taxpayer, since receipts from passport fees 683W cover the administrative costs of the passport offices in the United Kingdom as well as contributing towards the cost of consular services overseas.