HC Deb 14 December 1983 vol 50 c463W
53. Sir John Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what terms Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have agreed with other Governments of the European Communities to adopt a European form of passport; whether the Government will seek to ensure that it includes the royal arms, the traditional commendation of the holder by Her Britannic Majesty's principal Secretary of State and the words "British Passport" as well as any European wording; and whether he will place a specimen copy of the proposed European passport in the Library.

Mr. Whitney

We have agreed to adopt a new British passport in a European Community common format in the terms of the resolutions of member states of 23 June 1981 and 30 June 1982. The texts of both resolutions have been placed in the Library of the House. The new format passport will retain the royal coat of arms and the name of the issuing state on the cover. There will be the traditional rubric inside. A specimen will be placed in the Library when its precise details have been determined.