§ Miss WiddecombeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to increase passport fees to cover the increased cost due to handling charges payable on credit card transactions as payment for passports. [121984]
§ Mrs. RocheSavings resulting from the introduction of credit card payment for postal passport applications are likely to offset the costs of handling charges. Therefore, this development is unlikely to result in an increase in passport fees. The savings will result from more efficient processing of passport fee receipts. The facility to pay by credit card will also be more convenient for many passport customers than existing payment methods.