I checked with the Cardiff Consulate yesterday and under the current concessionary scheme, tourist visas really are free this time. There is no £15 administration fee like the last time a similar scheme was implemented. Apparently they received instructions from the centre that this had to be the arrangement. The only charge will be for postage if you want to do things this way and don't include a prepaid reply envelope.

That is very interesting news, if correct, that all honorary consulates charging an administration fee have been asked to drop the charge. No doubt we will get more reports in on this from members within the next few days. Thanks for the update.