To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the differences are between the fee structures for passport applications for British citizens resident overseas and those resident in the UK. (316079)

The Identity and Passport Service sets the passport fee for British citizens following an annual review with HM Treasury to ensure passport fee levels are set to recover the costs of the service provided.

The passport fee for British citizens resident overseas is set by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he plans to increase the UK passport application fee in 2010. (316171)

Passport fees are set in order to recover the full cost of providing the service including an element for non fee bearing consular services abroad. Fee levels are reviewed annually with HM Treasury.

The passport fee review for 2010 has not yet been concluded.