§ 2.36 p.m.
VISCOUNT GOSCHENMy Lords, on behalf of the noble Earl, Lord Iddesleigh, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in his name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Registrars-General were consulted by the Postmaster General before the latter decided to cease to issue postal orders of a value of less than one shilling.]
§ LORD SORENSENMy Lords, I understand that this Question arises out of the relevance of the short birth certificates for which the fee charged is 9d., which now obviously cannot be secured by any postal order, the postal orders for 6d. having been withdrawn in October. My right honourable friend the Postmaster General did not consult the Registrars-General or any other user of the postal order service. The measure
2 came to the notice of the Registrars-General, who are considering alternative arrangements by which registration officers can collect by post the fee for a short birth certificate.