§ Mr. Spellerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to ensure that the telephone at the Gwent passport office is promptly answered; what have been the causes of recent delays in answering calls from members of the public; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaddingtonThe telephone inquiry points at the Newport passport office are fully manned. However, the office is having to deal with an abnormal number of telephone inquiries about delays in dealing with postal passport applications. These delays arise from increased demand, recent disruption of postal services in south Wales and the residual effects of industrial action in passport offices earlier this year. Steps are being taken to reduce the backlog of postal applications as quickly as possible. This will reduce the number of telephone inquiries and should ensure that callers receive the normal prompt response.