asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will consider the complaint that the passport office in London is not large enough to handle the volume of work involved; and if he will consider taking measures to increase the comfort of the public in this regard.
Written Answers. - London Passport Office.
83.
In recent years there has been a significant increase in the number of applications for passports being received at the Passport Office attached to the London Embassy. Over the past four years the increase has been of the order of 25 per cent. This development has been accompanied by a corresponding increase in the numbers using the public office with resulting pressure on the existing space.
I am very conscious of the inconvenience caused to applicants and I am at present considering possible ways in which the situation can be improved.
In the meantime, a number of measures have already been taken to improve the comfort of members of the public. These measures include the installation of new seating and the redecoration of the public waiting area, as well as the display of National Gallery prints.