Letters: Passport shame

Sir: In the mid-80s the Passport Office failed to send our renewal passports for over six months despite phone calls (engaged) and written inquiries (unanswered) and despite having cashed our cheque six months previously.

I complained to the then Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, stating that we were in effect prisoners in our own country, despite having committed no crime, and was that not an infringement of our human rights? This produced an immediate response from her, a profuse phoned apology from a Mr Smiley of the Liverpool office and magically, our long overdue passports.

How shameful to have to resort to such measures, but how doubly shameful to see it happening all over again - different government, same old computer excuses.

V RAMSAY

Mitcham, Surrey