HC Deb 20 July 1978 vol 954 cc363-4W
Mr. Dodsworth

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what number of passport applications were received at the Peterborough regional office during each month of the year ended 31st December 1977 and for each month of the year 1978 so far as available.

Mr. Luard

The table below sets out the number of applications for new passports received in the Peterborough pass-port office in 1977 and during the first six months of 1978.

1977 1978
January 14,421 22,065
February 22,946 30,017
March 25,027 39,379
April 20,217 36,613
May 27,171 35,512
June 25,931 40,922
July 22,916
August 18,369
September 13,785
October 11,025
November 11,076
December 7,233

Mr. Dodsworth

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the annual number of passport applications received at the Peterborough regional passport office for each of the three years prior to 31st December 1977.

Mr. Luard

The annual number of passport applications received at the Peterborough passport office during the last three years is as follows:—

Year ending 31st December 1975 262,291
Year ending 31st December 1976 238,978
Year ending 31st December 1977 220,117

Mrs. Jeger

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration he is giving to allowing women to make passport applications in either their unmarried or married surnames; and if he will celebrate the anniversary of women's suffrage by making this concession to equality for women.

Mr. Luard

A married woman may already apply for a passport in whatever surname she currently uses for all purposes. She may also request the prefix Miss, Mrs. or Ms. My right hon. Friend does not therefore consider any change is necessary.