The UK Government is facing calls to refund holiday-makers in the north and north-east who lose out because of a backlog in passport applications.
Local MPs raised concerns in Westminster yesterday after constituents contacted them about the delays at the processing centre.
Dame Anne Begg, Labour member for Aberdeen South, said: “Over the last few weeks many people from Aberdeen South have got in touch with me to tell me of the difficulties they have been having with their passports and asking for my help.
“I think it’s about time ministers apologised for this mess and refund the upgrade fees they had to pay just to get their passports on time.”
Angus MacNeil, SNP MP for the Western Isles, said: “With many families in our islands gearing up to go on holiday the delays in passport applications could not come at a worst time
“The SNP has pointed out that school holidays start earlier in Scotland than the rest of the UK- making the passport fiasco much more immediate and pressing in Scotland.
“The home secretary needs to acknowledge these circumstances and make every effort to get passport applications sorted out in time.”
Home Secretary Theresa May told the Commons: “Her Majesty’s passport office is dealing with the highest demand for passports for 12 years while the surge in demand usually experienced during the summer months started much earlier in the year.
“As a result, a number of people are waiting too long for their passport applications to be processed.
“I would like to say to anybody who is unable to travel because of a delay in processing their passport application that I am sorry and the government is sorry for the inconvenience they have suffered and we are doing all we can to put things right.”