§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why, in view of the Government's attempts to reduce inflation, the cost of passports is to be increased from 15th March by 33⅓ per cent.
§ Mr. RowlandsI would refer my hon. Friend to my answer on 25th February 1976 to my hon. Friend the Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Cunningham). The new fees will help to offset expenditure which would otherwise fall on the taxpayer generally. I do not consider that the increases will affect the day-to-day cost of living of individual members of the public.— [Vol. 906, c.209.]