Immigration and Nationality Directorate

HC Deb 24 October 2001 vol 373 cc276-7W

Ms Oona King

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will instruct the Immigration and Nationality Directorate to return all passports and original documents by recorded delivery or registered post. [8068]

Angela Eagle

The Integrated Casework Directorate (ICD) in Croydon deals with the majority of passport and document returns to applicants and their representatives throughout Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND). This year they began returning passports and original documents to applicants by recorded delivery.

However, ICD' s Nationality Group in Liverpool ceased this service five years ago on the basis that the increased cost would add significantly to the cost of applications. Furthermore, the great majority of passports returned by ordinary post would reach their destination safely. However, any applicants who are concerned about the return of their documents can send in recorded delivery or registered post envelopes at their own expense.