Expired Passport with the Home Office

I made an application in May 2013 - my passport has been with the home office since this time and I was refused the visa. I want to make a new application - but am struggling to find a straightforward answer from a solicitor or the home office or the Immigration Rules about EXPIRED PASSPORTS and APPLICATIONS!

I am concerned that my application is going to be rejected as invalid. In which case, I may as well return home and apply from there.

Thank you

you can make application without passport as your passport is already with home office mention with your application.