Written statement to Parliament

Identity and Passport Service

Written ministerial statement laid in the House of Commons on 13 May 2013 by Mark Harper and in the House of Lords by Lord Taylor of Holbeach.

• From: Home Office and The Rt Hon Mark Harper
• Published: 13 May 2013

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

• Delivered on: 13 May 2013

The Minister of State for Immigration (Mark Harper): With effect from 13 May 2013, the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) will be re-named and its functions carried out under the name of Her Majesty’s Passport Office.

The new title reflects the role of Her Majesty’s Passport Office in issuing passports to citizens of the United Kingdom on behalf of the Crown under the exercise of the Royal Prerogative. It also reflects the policy of Her Majesty’s Government to end the previous administration’s plans for identity cards. Her Majesty’s Passport Office will retain responsibility for the work of the General Register Office for England and Wales.

The change in name does not affect the validity of existing British passports nor the form and content of future British passports.

Published 13 May 2013