HC Deb 12 July 1982 vol 27 cc249-50W
Mr. David Young

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedure is to be followed for the issue of temporary travel documents to students in school parties visiting the European Economic Community where the parent is not a British citizen, for example is from Uganda, but where the child is in full-time attendance at the school.

Mr. Raison

The European collective passport agreement, to which the United Kingdom is a party, is not limited to countries of the European Economic Community. It provides for the collective documentation of children up to the age of 16 years who are nationals of the signatory State for travel between contracting States. The United Kingdom has made an additional declaration to include, subject to reciprocity, young refugees and stateless persons lawfully resident in this country.

Children of other nationalities are expected to obtain documentation from their own authorities. Where this is unreasonably refused or, as in the case of Uganda, is subject to lengthy delay, the travel document section of the

Standard region Percentage increase
North 270
Wales 359
Scotland 271
Northern Ireland 295

Mr. Winnick

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons have been unemployed longer than (a) six months and (b) 12 months in the United Kingdom, the West Midlands and the Walsall travel-to-work area; the West Midlands and the Walsall travel-to-work area; and if he will give the corresponding figures for May 1979, July 1980 and July 1981 and the increase each year in percentage terms.

Mr. Alison

[pursuant to his reply, 5 July 1982, c. 12]: The numbers registered as unemployed are analysed by duration of unemployment in January, April, July and October. The following table gives the numbers unemployed for the lengths of time specified and the percentage changes between comparable dates.

Home Office is prepared to consider sympathetically the issue of temporary travel documentation, providing reasonable notice is given.

The Department has explained the position to local education authorities.