HC Deb 03 July 1900 vol 85 cc408-9
MR. WOODS

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General will he explain on what authority the registrars charge varying sums of from 1s. to 2s. 7d. for certificates of death of members of registered trade unions, who have funeral benefits attached to their societies, seeing that registered friendly societies only pay 1s. for such certificates, which is fixed by law, and whether he can take any action with a view of making the same charge for obtaining certificates for registered trade unions.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. CHAPLIN,) Lincolnshire, Sleaford

Perhaps the hon. Member will allow me to answer the question. Section 97 of the Friendly Societies Act, 1896, provides that for the purposes of that Act a certificate of the death of any member of a registered friendly society is to be given by the Registrar of Deaths for a sum not exceeding 1s., This enactment, however, does not apply in the case of the death of a member of a registered trade union, and consequently in such a case the ordinary fee of 2s. 7d. is payable for a certificate of death. I have no power to take the action suggested in the last paragraph of the question.