§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the administrative arrangements which his Department applies to control the issue of passports for children in the custody of a parent by order of a court or who are wards of court; and what publicity is given to these safeguards.
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§ Mr. OnslowA parent awarded the custody of a child by order of a court can enter a caveat with the Passport Office against the child being granted passport facilities without that parent's or the court's consent. Divorce decrees have for many years been endorsed to this effect. Similar arrangements exist for wards of court and courts frequently advise the Passport Office of wardship orders. The caveat system is also given publicity through the Law Society and the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux.