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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| 500,000 get war effort passports | 500,000 get war effort passports |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| More than 500,000 people have received a free passport in a scheme honouring their contribution to the war effort. | More than 500,000 people have received a free passport in a scheme honouring their contribution to the war effort. |
| Britons born on or before 2 September 1929 are entitled to free travel documents, to recognise veterans' and civilians' bravery in World War II. | Britons born on or before 2 September 1929 are entitled to free travel documents, to recognise veterans' and civilians' bravery in World War II. |
| Since the scheme began in 2004, more than 519,000 people have benefited, the Identity and Passport Service says. | Since the scheme began in 2004, more than 519,000 people have benefited, the Identity and Passport Service says. |
| Home Office Minister Lord West said the scheme honoured "every adult who helped defeat the evils of Nazism." | Home Office Minister Lord West said the scheme honoured "every adult who helped defeat the evils of Nazism." |
| The scheme allows every eligible Briton to be exempt from application or renewal fees for passports - which currently stand at £72. | The scheme allows every eligible Briton to be exempt from application or renewal fees for passports - which currently stand at £72. |
| 'Tremendous bravery' | 'Tremendous bravery' |
| The 500,000th passport was issued to James Woolley, 82, from Maidstone in Kent, who worked as a heavy goods vehicle fitter during World War II. | |
| He plans to travel to see his daughter in Canada and to see his son in France. | He plans to travel to see his daughter in Canada and to see his son in France. |
| After meeting him, Lord West said Mr Woolley's passport marked "a milestone in a scheme which honours every adult who helped defeat the evils of Nazism". | After meeting him, Lord West said Mr Woolley's passport marked "a milestone in a scheme which honours every adult who helped defeat the evils of Nazism". |
| He added: "This is a generation which faced incredible hardship and loss and demonstrated tremendous bravery both on the battlefield as well as on the home front. | He added: "This is a generation which faced incredible hardship and loss and demonstrated tremendous bravery both on the battlefield as well as on the home front. |
| "It is entirely right that those who endured these times to guarantee our liberty and security should be given the privilege of free passports." | "It is entirely right that those who endured these times to guarantee our liberty and security should be given the privilege of free passports." |