§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Prime Minister whether she will consider transferring responsibility for the Passport Office to the Home Secretary.
§ The Prime MinisterI have decided to transfer responsibility for the Passport Office from the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary to the Home Secretary as proposed in a report by the House of Commons Select Committee on Foreign Affairs — HC 406 — and the Rayner scrutiny of the Passport Office. The timing and detailed arrangements for the transfer have yet to be finalised. I shall make an announcement to the House in due course.