§ 31. Mr. WARDLEasked the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that in the case of wives of soldiers and sailors with three or four young children that certificates of birth are asked for in each case, and that the full charge of 2s. 1d. is asked for in each case by the registrar, whereas in the case of such certificates for factory employment only 6d. is charged; and whether he can make any different arrangements?
§ 57. Mr. RUPERT GWYNNEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will endeavour to make arrangements whereby applicants for grants from the Soldiers 'and Sailors' Families Association can obtain birth certificates of their children at a nominal fee?
§ 72. Mr. WARDLEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that in the case of the wives of soldiers called to the front before the separation allowance is paid in the case 634 of young children a birth certificate is demanded in each case; whether he is aware that 2s. 1d. is being charged for each such certificate; and whether, in view of the hardship inflicted where there are three or four email children, he will make some other arrangements or endeavour to arrange for the certificates to be obtained at a lower rate?
§ The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Herbert Samuel)Arrangements were made some time ago for avoiding expense in obtaining marriage or birth certificates in such cases. When evidence of birth or marriage is not already in the possession of the officer in charge of the records, application for a certificate should be made to the local superintendent registrar. Most registrars accept at the present time a reduced, or nominal fee, in cases of the kind referred to. Where a registrar declines to accept less than the statutory fee the Registrar General at Somerset House will, upon application, verify the particulars free of cost, and this verification will be accepted by the authorities concerned. These arrangements were set out in a circular of the Local Government Board dated 3rd September, copies of which I am sending to the hon. Members.
§ Mr. GWYNNEWill the right hon. Gentleman have copies of that sent to the various soldiers' and sailors' families?
§ Mr. WARDLEWill he also have copies sent to the registrars? I am told that they are not carrying it out.
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe registrars have been communicated with by the Chief Registrar, with whom I am myself in communication. But I will communicate with him as to the necessity of taking further steps.