§ Mr. Foxasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a further statement on the situation in the passport offices and the acceptance of expired British passports by other countries.
§ Mr. HurdThe selective industrial action by the Council of Civil Service Unions continues to affect the processing of passport applications at all passport offices.
Antigua, Barbados and Spain have agreed to accept expired United Kingdom passports for the purpose of travel from the United Kingdom to their countries and return to the United Kingdom.
In addition, Antigua, Barbados, Cyprus, Tunisia and the United States have informed us that they will accept British visitors passports for travel to their countries. Yugoslavia, Romania and Bulgaria are also reported to be accepting British visitors passports.
Travellers to all these countries should check with their travel agent or the appropriate national tourist office before commencing their journey.
We are continuing to do what we can to minimise the effects of the industrial action at the passport offices on the public.