§ 53. Mr. Callaghanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why British passports issued to colonial seamen resident in this country are valid for a period of six months only.
§ Mr. NuttingSeamen do not require passports to enable them to pursue their occupation or to return to their home country. Seamen's identity documents are issued for this purpose by the Ministry of Transport or, in the case of colonial seamen by the colonial authorities concerned.
When, as sometimes happens, a seaman has to travel overland to join his ship, a passport is issued for that specific purpose, and its period of validity is restricted to ensure that once this purpose has been served the passport is valueless as a travel document unless the time restriction is removed by the proper authority.