§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the projected cost per passport of the 105W secure delivery service announced on 28 November is; and what the total value of the contract with Special Mail Services Ltd. is. [143484]
§ Beverley Hughes[holding answer 11 December 2003]: The secure delivery service provided by Special Mail Services Ltd. will cost £2.75 per passport including ancillary service provided. The total value of the contract will depend on the number of passports issued by United Kingdom Passport Service (UKPS) but over a three year period, the contract is estimated to be worth up to £55 million.