HC Deb 17 February 1986 vol 92 cc44-5W
Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many valid British visitors' passports are currently held; how many of these are held in respect of families; how many such passports were issued in each of the last 10 years; what was the scale of fees applicable in each year; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Waddington

British visitors passports are valid for one year. The information available, which relates to the number issued, is given in the following table.

Year British Visitors Passports issued Those where spouse included Fee
£
1976–77 862,800 Not known *4.00
1977–78 820,751 Not known †5.00
1978–79 993,400 Not known ‡5.50
1979–80 1,130,976 Not known 5.50
1980–81 1,162,740 Not known 5.50
1981–82 1,768,411 Not known 5.50
1982–83 1,388,845 Not known 5.50
1983–84 1,426,966 36,656 [...][...]7.50
1984–85 1,526,664 252,537 7.50
Year British Visitors Passports issued Those where spouse included Fee
£
1985–86 (estimated) 1,420,000 210,000 7.50

* As from 15.3.1976.

† As from 7.2.1977.

‡ As from 6.3.1978.

[...] As from 14.11.83 (£11.50).

14 November 1983 the same fee was charged irrespective of whether or not the holder's spouse was included on the passport. It is only since then, therefore, that it has been possible to identify the number of family passports issued.

[...] Fee where spouse included.

Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many valid family passports are currently held; what is their duration; how many such passports were issued in each of the last 10 years; what scale of fees was applicable in each year; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Waddington

British family passports are valid for 10 years. The information available, which relates to the number issued, is given in the following table.

Year Passports issued Those where spouse of holder included Fee[...]
Standard passport Jumbo passport
£ £
1976–77 1,199,339 Not known 8 *16
1977–78 1,244,974 Not known 10 †20
1978–79 1,637,373 Not known 11 ‡22
1979–80 2,010,722 Not known 11 22
1980–81 2,186,211 Not known 11 22
1981–82 1,757,989 Not known 11 22
1982–83 2,016,404 Not known 11 22
1983–84 1,975,225 [...]65,852 ([...]22.50)15 [...]([...]45) 30
1984–85 1,818,704 144,850 ([...]22.50)15 ([...]45) 30
[...]1985–86 1,867,000 196,000 ([...]22.50) 15 ([...]45) 30

* As from 15 March 1976.

† As from 7 February 1977.

‡ As from 6 March 1978.

[...] As from 14 November 1983.

Standard 30 page and jumbo 94 page passports.

[...] Until 14 November 1983 the same fee was charged whether or not the holder's spouse was included on the passport. It is only since then, therefore, that it has been possible to identify the number of family passports issued.

[...] Fee where spouse included.

[...] Estimated.

Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Leicester, East of 3 February, any guidelines are issued to passport offices about the circumstances and manner in which they may use their discretion in respect of family passports.

Mr. Waddington

Yes. In the sense indicated in my reply of 3 February, at column 6, to my hon. Friend.