§ Mr. Roy HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what representations he has received concerning the situation at the passport office in Newport, Gwent;
(2) if he has any plans to increase staffing levels at the passport office in Newport, Gwent;
(3) what proposals he has to reduce the backlog and delays at the passport office in Newport.
§ Mr. RentonPassport applications to the Newport passport office are being processed within six working days. There is no backlog of work. No representations have been received specifically about the passport office in Newport. However, a number of hon. Members, including the hon. Member for Newport, East, have written recently about staffing levels in the passport department, following an approach to them by the Civil and Public Services Association and the National Union of Civil and Public Servants. Replies will be sent shortly.