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Originally called a ‘carriage pass’, this item was introduced in Britain in the mid-nineteenth century to ensure that the carriage of Queen Victoria\'s mistress of the robes was given such assistance by the police as would enable it to proceed without interruption. The pass was soon also given to ambassadors (sense 1). From time to time the design was changed, and in the 1930s it was decided to make it in silver. In the late 1970s the high price of that metal resulted in the pass being made of red leather, but it is still called a ‘silver’ pass. It is issued on the authority of the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service and, other than in respect of members of the Royal Family, to the post rather than the post-holder. Besides ambassadors and high commissioners, such a pass is carried by members of the government, ex-prime ministers, and other specifically designated ‘special people’. |
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