HC Deb 29 November 1999 vol 340 cc7-8W
Mr. Fearn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from organisations representing tourism and the travel industry(a) supporting and (b) opposing an increase in fees charged by the Passport Agency for issuing passports. [99401]

Mrs. Roche

Representations expressing concern about increases in passport fees have been received from The Association of British Travel Agents Ltd., The Council of Travel and Tourism, the Passenger Shipping Association and the Federation of Tour Operators.

The Agency has taken careful account of their representations in its review of passport fees.

Mr. Lidington

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date he plans to publish the Passport Agency's business plan 1999–2000 and its corporate plan 1999 to 2002. [100210]

Mr. Straw

The Passport Agency's Corporate and Business Plans 1999–2002 will be published shortly.

Mr. Lidington

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date his advisory board considered the Passport Agency's business plan 1999 to 2000 and its corporate plan 1999 to 2002; and if his advisory board has now approved those plans. [100208]

Mr. Straw

The Passport Agency's revised Corporate and Business Plans were considered by the Advisory Board on 27 September. The plans, which were held back pending the publication of the National Audit Office report, have now been approved. They will be issued shortly, together with a recovery plan which sets out the action the Agency is taking to prevent a recurrence of this year's problems.

Mr. Lidington

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date the Board of the United Kingdom Passport Agency considered its business plan 1999–2000 and its corporate plan 1999 to 2002; and if the plans have been approved. [100209]

Mr. Straw

The Passport Agency's revised Corporate and Business Plans were considered by the Agency's Management Board on 20 September. The plans, which were held back pending publication of the National Audit Office Report, have now been approved. They will be published shortly, together with a recovery plan which sets out the action the Agency is taking to prevent a recurrence of this year's problems.

Mr. Lidington

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress in his review of the future level of passport fees. [100214]

Mr. Straw

We are looking at various options for a possible increase in passport fees and an announcement of the outcome will be made shortly.