Written question asked by Tim Loughton (Conservative) on Tuesday, 14 September 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 1 November 2004. It was answered by Lord Browne of Ladyton (Labour) on Monday, 1 November 2004 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when free passports will be available to all over 75 years old; what discussions he has had with the Treasury about the cost of providing concessionary passports to over 75 year olds; and how the scheme will be funded.

Answer: Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when free passports will be available to all over 75-years-old; [189426] (2) what discussions he has had with the Treasury about the cost of providing concessionary passports to over 75- year-olds; and how the scheme will be funded. [189427] Mr. Browne: My right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary announced on 13 October that the scheme to grant free passports to those who were 16 or over at the end of World War II--on 2 September 1945, will be implemented on Monday 18 October 2004. All British Nationals who were born on or before 2 September 1929 will be able to apply for their free passports from that date. The Home Office will fund the scheme this year, and will seek to recover the costs in future years from the general passport fee. We have no plans to issue free passports to all over 75- years-old on an ongoing basis.

Secondary information