asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many British passports were cancelled in each of the past 12 months as a result of (a) non-delivery; (b) loss by holder; and (c) theft from holder; and what is the average length of time between reported loss or theft and cancellation. [HL3498]

The number of confirmed losses as a result of (a), non-delivery, whereby the British passports have been cancelled, is 728 for the period February 2006 to January 2007. At this time, the Identity and Passport Service cannot report up to the end of April 2007 in relation to (a).

During the 12 month period up to and including April 2007, the number of British passports cancelled due to (b), loss by holder, and (c), theft from holder, is 246,422 and 42,335 respectively.

The IPS cannot report on the length of time between reported loss or theft and cancellation, without reference to each individual record.