Passports (Proof of Identity) (Hansard, 22 July 1986)

§ Mr. Hurd

At present, only one document from a prescribed list need be produced as evidence of identity. But there have been instances in which British visitor's passports have been obtained by people not entitled by identity or nationality to use them. I have therefore decided to introduce changes in the documents that applicants for the British visitor's passport have to produce. As from September of this year, save where someone can produce an expired uncancelled standard British passport all applicants will be required to produce one document from each of two groups. The groups of documents, which will, of course, be listed on the application form for the British visitor's passport are as followsA. a birth certificate or adoption certificate showing full names issued in the United Kingdom or abroad by a United Kingdom authority an uncancelled British visitor's passport in present name (or husband's/wife's if included on it) a certificate of naturalisation or registration as a British citizen/British Dependent Territories citizen/British Overseas citizen/citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies showing full names a British passport or British visitor's passport on which previously included as a child a retirement pension book or pension card in present name B. Identifying documents such as: a National Health Service medical card in your present name a driving licence a valid bank cheque card, Eurocheque card, girobank card, credit card, bus or rail card a recent gas, telephone or electricity bill a child benefit book showing present name and including any children to be included on the passport.

158W

I believe that this change will reduce, though it cannot entirely prevent, the opportunity for abuse of the passport, while causing only minimum inconvenience to members of the public.