HC Deb 18 March 2003 vol 401 cc714-5W
Tim Loughton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason UK passports specify identification details in French in addition to English; and whether he plans to replace French with an alternative language. [102737]

Beverley Hughes

The British Passport includes French on the personal details page to facilitate international travel and to comply with International Civil Aviational Organisation standards and European Union resolutions. All passports of European Union countries include English and French on the personal details page in addition to their own language. We have no plans to seek to change this.