§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the backlog of unprocessed passport applications was at the end of each month since 1 January. [4940]
§ Angela EagleThe backlog of unprocessed passport applications for each month was as follows:
Month Backlog January 154,048 February 184,704 March 150,503 April 179,729 May 237,719 June 175,148 The increased backlog at the end of May is largely the result of normal seasonal demand, which peaks during May. Despite this backlog the average turnround time for straightforward, properly completed applications remained low at just over five days.
May 2001 intake was 701,144, an increase of 7.5 per cent. over 2000. Much of this increase can be traced to the end of the postal dispute which artificially inflated May intake when compared to previous years.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who is providing the Passport Service's out-sourced call service mentioned in paragraph 2.11 of the Services Corporate and Business Plan 2001–2006. [4945]
§ Angela EagleCall centre services for United Kingdom Passport Service have been provided by MM Group since January 2000.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what legislative changes he is planning to allow the Passport Service greater access to other databases. [4961]
§ Angela EagleNo legislation is currently planned for the Passport Service.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the incidence of internal fraud within the Passport Service. [4950]
§ Angela EagleDetection and prevention of fraud remains a top priority for the United Kingdom Passport Service (UKPS). Any suspected internal fraud or attempted fraud is investigated promptly and thoroughly and is followed up by legal and/or disciplinary action where appropriate. This is carried out with the full 355W co-operation of the police. Such cases are rare. A log of suspected and actual cases is maintained and is subject to regular review by the Agencies Management.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the original budgeted estimate was for the cost of moving the headquarters and London Regional Office of the UK Passport Agency; what the current estimated outturn is; and if he will make a statement. [4963]
§ Angela EagleThe original budgeted estimate was £11.5 million. The current estimated outturn is £14.0 million.
It should be noted that the functionality of the operation has been raised significantly to enable the introduction of a Tiered Application Service. The number of customer counters has been increased and an enhanced appointment and queue management system added. The level of security has also been improved for the added security of both customers and staff.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what work he has commissioned into(a) the incidence of passport fraud and (b) possible new measures to combat such fraud. [4944]
§ Angela EagleA specialist Fraud and Enforcement Unit has been set up within the Passport Service.
Improved analysis of levels of passport fraud is being implemented and access to private and public sector databases is being considered to address particular fraud issues.
The United Kingdom Passport Service will continue to play a full and active role in inter-departmental efforts to combat fraudulent activities across Government.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he plans to take to recover the deficit which the Passport Service is set to incur in the financial year 2001–02. [4953]
§ Angela EagleThe objective of the Passport Service, when setting fees, is to break even after contribution to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for non-fee bearing consular services. Fee levels should be set to ensure that the Passport Service breaks even in any given year. Where this is not possible it is necessary for the Passport Service to enter into discussions with Her Majesty's Treasury to agree that recovery will take place over a longer period.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of the percentage increase in the revenue of the Passport Service between 2001–02 and 2002–03; what proportion of that forecast increase is attributable to an assumed increase in fees; and if he will make a statement. [4955]
§ Angela EagleThe forecast for income from the Passport Service is £135.4 million in 2001–02 and £156.8 million in 2002–03, an increase of just under 16 per cent. It is important to note that this increase does not simply reflect a potential general fee increase but also an increase in revenue as a result of the planned introduction of Tiered Application Services, for which applicants would choose to pay a fee premium to guarantee faster delivery times. It is intended to introduce these services during the final quarter of 2001–02 and this has been assumed in forecast revenue assumptions.
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§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many passports were scrapped prior to issue in(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000 and (d) 2000–01. [4951]
§ Angela EagleThe number of passports scrapped before issue in each year was as follows:
Year Number of passports scrapped prior to issue 1997–98 140,323 1998–99 138,037 1999–2000 121,481 2000–01 107,296
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to recover the costs of the emergency measures introduced by the Passport Service in 1999. [4954]
§ Angela EagleIn 2001–02 the United Kingdom Passport Service Accounts show a surplus of £4.9 million, which will recover some past deficits. The costs of the 1999 emergency measures are to be recovered through an efficiency programme.
The programme of efficiency measures will commence following the cutover of all offices to the new passport issuing service, (PASS). As a result of delays to the completion of PASS rollout to minimise risk, this programme has not yet started. It is planned to complete the rollout later this year and to introduce an efficiency programme in 2002–03.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for(a) new passports and (b) renewals there have been in each month since 1 January. [4939]
§ Angela EagleThe split of passport applications received by the Passport Service for each month is as follows:
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Month/Service type Number January New Adult Applications 92,774 Adult Renewals 265,534 Child Applications 108,618 Amendments/extensions to existing passports 37,279 February New Adult Applications 111,273 Adult Renewals 273,271 Child Applications 139,140 Amendments/extensions to existing passports 38,129 March New Adult Applications 107,218 Adult Renewals 237,221 Child Applications 146,320 Amendments/extensions to existing passports 39,641 April New Adult Applications 109,229 Adult Renewals 193,114 Child Applications 184,417 Amendments/extensions to existing passports 41,595 May New Adult Applications 152,724 Adult Renewals 289,492
Month/Service type Number Child Applications 194,421 Amendments/extensions to existing passports 55,958 June New Adult Applications 137,328 Adult Renewals 252,116 Child Applications 164,503 Amendments/extensions to existing passports 51,873
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average processing time was for(a) a new passport application and (b) a renewal in each month of 2001 to date. [4946]
§ Angela EagleIt is not possible separately to identify the average processing times of new passport applications and renewals. The average processing times provided relate to all straightforward, properly completed applications issued by the Passport Service during the month.
Month Average processing time (days) January 3.31 February 4.46 March 4.67 April 4.66 May 5.12 June 5.61
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to which(a) private sector and (b) public sector databases the Passport Service is seeking access. [4962]
§ Angela EagleThe United Kingdom Passport Service is:
- (a) considering a trial starting this Autumn that will involve the use of a financial sector database; and
- (b) considering the scope for data matching procedures with the National Insurance Contributions Office and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.