Clause 39 - Verifying information provided with passport applications etc.
Identity Cards Bill
9:45 am
Tony McNulty (Minister of State (Immigration, Citizenship and Nationality), Home Office; Harrow East, Labour)
I think that I can give the hon. and learned Gentleman that assurance, not least because from next year we will start to implement the first generation of biometric passports. There will be a gear change in terms of what people need to present at the interview process and elsewhere. Clearly, that will be far better dealt with in writing and with, I think—we shall have to reflect on this; I know that the UK Passport Service is doing so as we speak—an awareness and education programme on exactly what the new process entails. Of course, the demand will be in writing and, as ever with Government correspondence, it will be fully clear on a first reading exactly what the process entails. He makes a fair point and I can give him that assurance.