To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.

Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Written Question
Passports: Biometrics
Wednesday 15th January 2025

Asked by: Clive Efford (Labour - Eltham and Chislehurst)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to update the technology required to read (a) diacritical characters and (b) accents marks in the biographical information of UK passport holders.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

British passports meet the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). While these standards permit the use of either diacritic marks or their transliteration, the number of countries that have adopted use of diacritics in their passport is very low.

There are currently no plans to introduce the inclusion of diacritic marks in the British passport. However, this will remain a consideration ahead of any future system developments.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 07 Nov 2022
Asylum Seekers Accommodation and Safeguarding

"In an exchange last week relating to the situation at Manston, the Home Secretary told the House:

“I have never ignored legal advice.”—[Official Report, 31 October 2022; Vol. 721, c. 639.]

Has the Minister been briefed, seen any information in his Department or been told by any …..."
Clive Efford - View Speech

View all Clive Efford (Lab - Eltham and Chislehurst) contributions to the debate on: Asylum Seekers Accommodation and Safeguarding
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 03 Nov 2022
Police Service: HMI Report

"This issue starts at the very top, and we have missed many opportunities to tackle it. It was also exacerbated by the incredible decision of the Conservatives to cut 21,000 police officers. Now we have a mad dash to try to backfill those gaps in the service. Can the Minister …..."
Clive Efford - View Speech

View all Clive Efford (Lab - Eltham and Chislehurst) contributions to the debate on: Police Service: HMI Report
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 01 Nov 2022
National Security

"But the Minister is aware that there are questions about whether the Home Secretary has full security clearance. Can he give the House an assurance that she has that clearance and, if not, what are the implications for national security?..."
Clive Efford - View Speech

View all Clive Efford (Lab - Eltham and Chislehurst) contributions to the debate on: National Security
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 05 Sep 2022
Oral Answers to Questions

"15. What steps she has taken to tackle violence against women and girls in the last 12 months. ..."
Clive Efford - View Speech

View all Clive Efford (Lab - Eltham and Chislehurst) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 05 Sep 2022
Oral Answers to Questions

"On 17 September, it will be one year to the day since the brutal, sexually-motivated murder of Sabina Nessa in my constituency. In the year she was murdered—to the end of March 2022—an astonishing 70,330 rapes were recorded, which is up from 16,000 in 2010, yet we have a charge …..."
Clive Efford - View Speech

View all Clive Efford (Lab - Eltham and Chislehurst) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 29 Jun 2022
Metropolitan Police Service

"The Minister was deputy mayor for policing in London when the worst cuts were imposed by this Government, and I do not remember him raising his voice against those cuts once. People cannot take a wrecking ball to the Metropolitan police and not expect problems like this to come about, …..."
Clive Efford - View Speech

View all Clive Efford (Lab - Eltham and Chislehurst) contributions to the debate on: Metropolitan Police Service
Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 15 Jun 2022
Migration and Economic Development Partnership with Rwanda

"Yesterday, 444 people made the dangerous crossing in small boats, which suggests that the deterrent effect of this policy is not getting through. That is the highest number in two months, since 681 crossed the day after the Home Secretary announced this policy. Does that not suggest that this is …..."
Clive Efford - View Speech

View all Clive Efford (Lab - Eltham and Chislehurst) contributions to the debate on: Migration and Economic Development Partnership with Rwanda
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 14 Jun 2022
HM Passport Office Backlog

"Will the Minister give way?..."
Clive Efford - View Speech

View all Clive Efford (Lab - Eltham and Chislehurst) contributions to the debate on: HM Passport Office Backlog
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 13 Jun 2022
Asylum Seekers: Removal to Rwanda

"The National Crime Agency has principal responsibility for prosecuting people traffickers. Is it right that there will be a 20% cut in staffing at the National Crime Agency? Is that consistent with the policy of taking back control of our borders?..."
Clive Efford - View Speech

View all Clive Efford (Lab - Eltham and Chislehurst) contributions to the debate on: Asylum Seekers: Removal to Rwanda