asked Her Majesty's Government:

What procedures they have planned to obtain fingerprints and iris scans from passport applicants at remote video-linked interview offices. [HL3756]

The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) will be introducing passports incorporating fingerprint biometrics as part of the ongoing security enhancements to passports. There are currently no plans to enrol iris biometrics.

The exact method by which fingerprints are enrolled during passport applications has yet to be finalised. However, the needs of those living in remote communities is being taken into consideration. First time passport applicants are already required to attend an interview as part of the application process. The IPS has explored ways to make this more accessible to those in remote communities with video-linked offices currently being delivered as a solution.