Written question asked by Gwyneth Dunwoody (Labour) on Monday, 13 December 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 December 1999. It was answered by Barbara Roche (Labour) on Monday, 20 December 1999 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will investigate the cost of re-introducing an optional hardback UK passport. - Inc figures and fact that there are no plans to do so.

Answer: Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will investigate the cost of re-introducing an optional hardback UK passport. [102914] Mrs. Roche: There are no plans to do so. To introduce an optional hardback version of the United Kingdom passport would require significant changes to the passport manufacturing process, and would increase the costs of the passport service. There are over 30 million of the soft covered United Kingdom passports in circulation and most countries in the world issue passports in this form. A standard passport format greatly facilitates worldwide travel.

Secondary information