My hon. Friend identified 53 countries that have introduced or indicated that they propose to introduce biometric passports (containing a facial biometric image) as stated on 19 February 2007, Official Report, column 1. Since then, updated research has identified 54 such countries.
These include all 27 member states of the European Union and the following other countries:
Australia
Canada
China
Egypt
Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region)
India
Indonesia
Japan
The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Malaysia
Morocco
New Zealand
Nigeria
Pakistan
Philippines
Russian Federation
Serbia
Singapore
South Africa
South Korea
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Turkey
United Arab Emirates
United States
Venezuela
On the basis of the latest information obtained by the Identity and Passport Service, Brazil, Argentina and the Ukraine do not have plans at present to introduce e-Passports, although such information may be subject to change. We also understand that Mexico does not have any plans at present to introduce e-Passports but does record the fingerprints of individuals prior to the issue of a passport.