§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Lord Privy Seal if, in the light of the behaviour of some British supporters at the 385W England versus Switzerland football match, he will take steps to prevent those convicted as a result of these distubances, or any persons generally who are convicted of violent offences overseas, from travelling abroad for a period by removing passport facilities and other associated documents; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LuceNo. I have every sympathy with the hon. Member's objectives, but the withdrawal of passport facilities in these circumstances would be unprecedented. In his exercise of the Royal Prerogative on passport issues the Secretary of State confines refusals to certain well-defined and exceptional circumstances. Extension to include persons convicted of certain crimes overseas would be difficult to confine.