§ COLONEL WELBY (Taunton)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the index to early wills in Somerset House is in years or small groups of years and in antiquated handwritings very difficult for ordinary consulters to read; and whether he can see his way to causing a more general index, by reigns or centuries, to be made in modern handwriting or print, showing the place of residence and county of each testator.
§ MR. HANBURYThe indexes between 1383 and 1852 are by years: the indexes between 1852 and 1857 form a single group, and the indexes from 1858 to the present time are again by years. Between 1383 and (say) 1630 the indexes are frequently very difficult to decipher. From 1630 to 1852 they are in the engrossing hand and somewhat difficult for the ordinary reader to decipher. From 1853 to the present time they are satisfactory. Of course such an index as my hon. and gallant friend suggests could be made; but it could not be done by the present staff of the Registry and it would involve a very considerable expenditure.