§ MR. BRIDGEMAN (Shropshire, Oswestry)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that a number of registrars of births and deaths in certain districts suffer serious reductions of income by reason of depopulation, and consequently on retirement receive superannuation allowance sums disproportionate to their contributions in the early years of their 793 appointment; and whether he will consider the advisability of appointments to registrarships at a fixed salary instead of the present system of payment by fees, and the need of an inquiry into the practicability of a proper system of promotion.
§ THE PEESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. JOHN BURNS, Battersea)I am aware that in a certain number of cases the amount of the fees received by registrars of births and deaths is reduced by reason of a diminution in the population of the areas for which they act and other causes, whilst in a certain number of other cases the amount is increased by reason of a rise in the population of these areas and other causes. The registrars, however, accept the possibility of any such increase or diminution with their appointment, and where they lose fees in consequence of a re-arrangement of registration sub-districts they, as a rule, receive compensation. A fixed salary could not be substituted for the present system of payment by fees without legislation. I am not aware of any sufficient reason for an inquiry of the kind suggested.
§ * MR. BRIDGEMANIs it not a fact that they are paid by salary in Scotland?