HC Deb 24 June 1985 vol 81 c282W
Mr. Rooker

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will explain the basis on which a joint passport is not usable by both husband and wife separately if either one travels abroad alone.

Mr. Waddington

The term "joint passport" is a misnomer for a family passport, issued to either a husband or a wife to enable the family to travel on one passport, thus saving the expense of obtaining separate passports. Only the person in whose name the passport is issued may use it when travelling alone. To allow the spouse of the holder to use it independently would be contrary to international passport usage.