§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Lord Privy Seal when the existing British passport was first introduced; and how many are currently in existence.
§ Mr. LuceThe British passport in its present form was introduced in 1921 although there have been many minor changes of format since that time. There are approximately 15 million standard passports currently valid. This figure does not include passports issued by dependent territories, of which statistics are not immediately available, nor British visitor's passports, of which there are roughly 1 million current.
§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will ensure that the wording and format of Her Majesty's injunctions to be found inside the front cover of the existing British passport will be transferred unchanged to any standard European Economic Community passport that may be issued.
§ Sir Ian GilmourThe European Community proposal for a common format passport specifically allows for the exhortation to be retained and we have made clear that it will be.
§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make arrangements to enable those who object to the proposed new European Community passport to retain passports showing them to be Her Majesty's subjects alone.
§ Sir Ian GilmourNo. A United Kingdom passport issued in the common format could be issued only to Her Majesty's subjects and to nobody else.
§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Lord Privy Seal what changes he anticipates in the formalities required of British citizens entering other European Economic Community countries after the introduction of the proposed new European Economic Community passport.
§ Sir Ian GilmourAs the passports will be national passports in a common format, we cannot expect that member States will make any changes in their requirements solely as the result of their introduction. In any case, member countries will be introducing the common format passport at different dates.
§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Lord Privy Seal what will be the form, colour and cost of the proposed new passport.
§ Sir Ian GilmourIt is not yet possible to describe in detail what a United Kingdom passport in the common format will look like since many of the features have yet to be worked out. As I confirmed in the House on 18 March—[Vol. 1, c. 281–84]—the cover will be burgundy-coloured and the important characteristics of the British passport—the coat of arms and the usual rubric—will be retained. As I also made clear to the House, on 13 March—[Vol. 1000, c.444]—we propose to introduce the common format passport at the same time as we adopt the 363W ICAO recommendations for a passport in a simplified, standardised format with machine readable capability. I have at present nothing to add. The cost of the new passport cannot yet be assessed.
§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Lord Privy Seal at what date it is proposed to phase out the traditional United Kingdom passport, and replace it by the proposed European Community passport.
§ Sir Ian GilmourAs I said in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Ravensbourne (Mr. Hunt) on 13 March—[Vol. 1000, c.444]—we intend to produce United Kingdom passports in the agreed common format at the same time as we implement the International Civil Aviation Organisation's recommendations for a passport in a simplified standardised format with machine-readable capability. A considerable amount of work is needed to assess the costs and the technical problems involved, and until this has been done it is not possible for the Government to set a date for the change in the format of United Kingdom passports. The United Kingdom passports in a common format will remain British passports, and their issue will continue to be a national prerogative.
§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Lord Privy Seal how many individuals and organisations have made representations in favour of the proposed European Community passport, and against the discontinuation of a separate passport for the United Kingdom in its traditional form.
§ Sir Ian GilmourSince 1974, when the decision in principle that the passports of the European Community member States should have a common format was taken, I understand that there have been some letters from members of the public, although judging by recent correspondence too few to allow any general conclusion. A comprehensive analysis of all letters received on this subject over the last six years could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.