§ Lieut.-Colonel NALLasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the unnecessary delays experienced in obtaining passports, and the resulting inconvenience to people not resident in London; and what steps can be taken to expedite the issue of passports?
§ Earl WINTERTONApplications for passports are in the ordinary course dealt with on the day on which they are received, and every effort is made to ensure the issue of the passport with the greatest possible expedition. A case of any delay is an extremely rare occurrence, and I have informed the hon. and gallant Member of the circumstances of the specific case which I understand he had in mind.