HM Passport Office Debate

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Department: Home Office

HM Passport Office

Stephen Mosley Excerpts
Thursday 12th June 2014

(9 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Theresa May Portrait Mrs May
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The hon. Gentleman suggests that the definition of straightforward cases has changed, but it has not. I have been very clear that straightforward renewal of passports is normally expected to be dealt with within three weeks. That is on the Passport Office’s website and it is what I have said today. I recognise that there have been some very difficult cases, such as the one that the hon. Gentleman describes. I was listening carefully and I think he mentioned the problem of the parents being told that the passport had been dispatched, but not then receiving it. I would be grateful if he would care to provide the details, as I may have misunderstood the case.

Stephen Mosley Portrait Stephen Mosley (City of Chester) (Con)
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At Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday, the Leader of the Opposition claimed that tens of thousands of people were having their holidays cancelled because of passport delays. Meanwhile, the Association of British Travel Agents has said that it is seeing no increase in holiday cancellations on account of passport delays. Whom should we believe—the Leader of the Opposition or ABTA?

Theresa May Portrait Mrs May
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I am tempted to say that there are those who have the figures to hand and know what they are, and there are those who make claims about them in this House.