To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many interview centres for new passport applicants are operational. (171049)

As at 5 December 2007 36 Interview Offices dealing with first time passport customers are in live operations. We anticipate that 62 offices will be fully operational by end December 2007 with a further six opening by end February 2008.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department has spent on acquiring premises for passport application interview centres. (171050)

The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) contracted Mapeley Abl Provider Limited to acquire, fit out and service manage the interview office estate capability. Following a competitive tender a contract award notice (OJEC Ref 06/5 74-77058/EN) was published on 13 April 2006 which gave a total contract value of £71.86 million (ex VAT). To the end of November 2007 IPS incurred costs of £35.33 million (ex VAT) against this contract and total life costs for the contract are not expected to exceed the published total. An additional £1.24 million (ex VAT) has been incurred by IPS on professional services in respect of design, assurance and legal advice in delivery of the estate.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff have been recruited to work in passport interview centres. (171053)

As at 5 December 2007, 465 staff have been recruited to work in Interview Offices. We anticipate that we will reach the full complement of about 600 staff by February 2008.