§ Mr. TredinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to introduce a new machine-readable jumbo passport.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerI am pleased to announce that the computerisation of the Passport Agency's regional offices is now complete. We are therefore introducing a new machine-readable jumbo passport, for use by frequent travellers. The Privy Council has approved an Order in Council, the Consular Fees (Amendment)(No. 3)Order 1991, which gives authority for the issue of a machine-readable 48-page jumbo passport at a fee of £22.50, compared with a fee of £15 for a standard 32-page passport. The order will come into effect on 2 December, and the Passport Agency will begin to issue the new passport once stocks of the old blue jumbo passports are exhausted.