London Passport Office

HL Deb 11 April 2002 vol 633 c109WA

Lord Marlesford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

On what date the London Passport Office changed its location from Petty France; why post offices are still handing out passport application forms showing the Petty France address; and what steps they intend to take to end the consequent inconvenience to those who wish to visit the London Passport Office. [HL3405]

The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Rooker)

The London Passport Office began issuing passports from Globe House in Eccleston Square, London SW1, on Monday 4 June 2001. After a phased transfer of all passport business, Clive House, Petty France, closed to the public on Friday 26 October.

Post Office Ltd was informed of the change of address at an early stage, the application form pack was reprinted and a leaflet was included to show the change of address. On cost grounds, all existing stock held by Post Office branches was not scrapped and it is possible that not all old stock has yet been exhausted. An option might have been to withdraw all application stock containing the Petty France address. But this would have been expensive and of little value in most of the United Kingdom as those in receipt of such forms would have had no intention of attending the London Passport Office.

However, all application form packs should contain a leaflet showing current fees and advising that personal attendance at a passport office is by appointment only. Customers telephoning the United Kingdom Passport Service (UKPS) 24-hour adviceline for an appointment are given directions to the office and advice on what they need to take.

In addition to the application form package and the adviceline, information on the relocation was available from the UK PS website and through UK PS publicity placed in local media such as the Evening Standard and London Metro. Post Office Ltd was briefed by UKPS on the response for its counter staff to give customers wishing to visit the London Passport Office—namely, that customers should contact the UKPS adviceline for an appointment and information.