Passports
Q: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 9 January 2006, Official Report, column 378W, on passports, whether the notice added to the UK Passport Service website on photograph standards was published on 22 November 2005 as referred to in the answer or on 21 December as referred to on the UKPS website. (John Hemming)
A:The UKPS website was updated on 22 November to reflect the revised policy adopted after consideration of feedback following the introduction of new photo standards in September 2005. Changes are made to the website as the need arises, and on 21 December a further change was made to advise customers that the digital enhancement of photographs was not recommended. The date on the web page reflects this latter change. The website has been amended to make the timing of these changes clearer. (Andy Burnham, Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Home Office)
Passports
Q: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 9 January 2006, Official Report, column 378W, on passports, if the Department will also allow the hand of a parent who is holding a baby to appear in a photograph without invalidating it. (John Hemming)
A:If a baby is being supported by a parent when photographed, the hands of the parent must not be visible above the shoulders of the baby. This is to ensure that the passport issuing system does not capture the supporting hand as part of the subject's face. It is recommended that the services of a photographic studio are used when obtaining passport photographs for very young infants. (Andy Burnham, Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Home Office)
Energy (Security of Supply)
Q: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date the Joint Energy Security of Supply Working Group's report was due to be published; on what date he expects the report to be published; and if he will make a statement. (John Hemming)
A:DTI officials, in conjunction with Ofgem, are currently drafting the sixth JESS report which I expect to be published in the next few weeks—about six months after my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's first report to Parliament on security of gas and electricity supply in Great Britain was published. (Malcolm Wicks, Minister for energy, Department of Trade and Industry)
Q: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 9 January 2006, Official Report, column 378W, on passports, whether the notice added to the UK Passport Service website on photograph standards was published on 22 November 2005 as referred to in the answer or on 21 December as referred to on the UKPS website. (John Hemming)
A:The UKPS website was updated on 22 November to reflect the revised policy adopted after consideration of feedback following the introduction of new photo standards in September 2005. Changes are made to the website as the need arises, and on 21 December a further change was made to advise customers that the digital enhancement of photographs was not recommended. The date on the web page reflects this latter change. The website has been amended to make the timing of these changes clearer. (Andy Burnham, Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Home Office)
Passports
Q: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 9 January 2006, Official Report, column 378W, on passports, if the Department will also allow the hand of a parent who is holding a baby to appear in a photograph without invalidating it. (John Hemming)
A:If a baby is being supported by a parent when photographed, the hands of the parent must not be visible above the shoulders of the baby. This is to ensure that the passport issuing system does not capture the supporting hand as part of the subject's face. It is recommended that the services of a photographic studio are used when obtaining passport photographs for very young infants. (Andy Burnham, Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Home Office)
Energy (Security of Supply)
Q: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date the Joint Energy Security of Supply Working Group's report was due to be published; on what date he expects the report to be published; and if he will make a statement. (John Hemming)
A:DTI officials, in conjunction with Ofgem, are currently drafting the sixth JESS report which I expect to be published in the next few weeks—about six months after my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's first report to Parliament on security of gas and electricity supply in Great Britain was published. (Malcolm Wicks, Minister for energy, Department of Trade and Industry)
Comments