§ Mr. David Howellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what use of computers is made in the Passport Office.
§ Mr. LuardThe Passport Office makes no use of a computer at the present time. However, a study is currently in progress to determine what part of the passport issuing processes might economically be computerised without detriment to an expeditious service to the public.
§ Mr. David Howellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the number of United Kingdom passports at present in circulation, the total administrative cost of issuing a new passport to a citizen for the first time, of renewing an expired passport and issuing a fresh passport, respectively; and what are the corresponding charges made to individuals in respect of these services.
§ Mr. Luard1,095,750 passports were issued in the United Kingdom in 1969 and the approximate number of passports currently valid is 6½ million. It is not possible to cost with complete accuracy any one of the many different services provided by the Passport Office but it is estimated that the total administrative212W cost of issuing a passport in 1969 was £1 9s. and the cost of the renewal of a passport 13s. No separate statistics are maintained of passports issued other than for the first time. The fee for the issue of a passport is £2 and that for the renewal of an existing one is £1.