§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, in view of the fact that delays of up to six weeks are now occurring in the issue of passports at the Passport Office in Peterborough and that the telephone operator at the Passport Office in London has advised hon. Members that there are delays of up to four days in telephone calls to officials in Peterborough, and bearing in mind the hardships and loss of business being caused to people wishing to visit ill or distressed relatives or sell British products abroad, if he will take immediate steps to remove this impediment to the right of travel.
§ Mr. LuardThere is an unprecedented increase in demand for passports this year. During April the increase at the Peterborough office was 81 per cent. As a consequence, it is taking five to six weeks to issue non-urgent passports instead of the normal four weeks. The many passports required urgently for compasionate or business reasons and with the minimum of notice are given priority to meet the stated dates of travel. Some reallocation of work is taking place to reduce the difficulties at Peterborough.
616WThe telephones at all passport offices, as in other organisations under severe pressure, are frequently engaged and a little perseverence is necessary to contact them by this means. The staff are working hard and successfully over long hours to cope with the exceptional work load and my right hon. Friend cannot accept that there is any impediment to the right of travel.