HC Deb 12 June 1991 vol 192 cc541-2W
Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the theft of passports from Wells, Somerset in recent years; if any

Banks and building societies Sterling lending to the M4 private sector Percentage growth
(a) (b) (c)
Over 12 months Over 6 months annualised (seasonally adjusted)
Real terms Current prices Real terms
1983 January — 16.6 9.7
1983 February — 16.8 9.5
1983 March — 16.4 9.9
1983 April — 15.1 9.6

persons have been prosecuted in relation to this matter; whether the serial numbers of the stolen passports were notified to all United Kingdom ports and to appropriate international agencies; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

In Great Britain Post Office Counters Ltd. issue British visitors passports (BVPs) on behalf of the United Kingdom Passport Agency. In March 1988 a quantity of BVPs was stolen from a modified sub post office in Wells. This theft formed part of a conspiracy to burgle for which seven persons appeared before Cardiff crown court on 16 April 1990; they admitted the offence and were sentenced between two and six years' imprisonment. The serial numbers of the stolen BVPs were notified by the then Passport Department to the immigration service and the police and to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for routine circulation abroad.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action has been taken to recover passports stolen from Wells, Somerset; whether any person has been detained within the United Kingdom or abroad travelling on a passport stolen from Wells; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Investigation of the British visitors passports stolen in Wells in 1988 was a matter for the Post Office investigation branch and the Somerset and Avon police. I understand that a number of persons detained in western European countries for various offences were found to be in possession of British visitors passports from the series reported stolen. In one of these cases investigations are continuing into possible immigration offences.