HC Deb 13 July 1915 vol 73 cc783-4

(1) The Notification of Births Act, 1907 (in this Act referred to as the principal Act), shall, on and after the first day of September, nineteen hundred and fifteen, extend to and take effect in every area in which it is not already in force, and in the case of an area for which it could be adopted either by the council of an urban or rural district, or by the county council, shall take effect as if it had been adopted by the council of the district.

(2) Where by virtue of this Act the principal. Act comes into force in any county district in which it is not already in force, the medical officer of health shall send duplicates of any notices of birth received by him under that Act to the county medical officer of health as soon as may be after they are received.

(3) Where by virtue of this Act the principal Act comes into force in any area in which it is not already in force, it shall be the duty of the local authority to bring the provisions of the principal Act to the attention of all medical practitioners and midwives practising in the area.

Mr. DICKINSON

I beg to move, in Sub-section (2), to leave out the words "as soon as may be," and to insert instead thereof the words "within five days."

The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Walter Long)

I hope my right hon. Friend will not press the Amendment. I know that his object is to secure the prompt enforcement of the measure, but our experience shows that when the law as it now stands has been enforced these steps are taken immediately. If we put the words "within five days" into the Bill those who have to enforce the law are apt to take advantage of the full limit, and are more likely to extend two days into five days. The Bill as it stands is more likely to secure the rapid enforcement of the law.

Question, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Clause," put, and agreed to.

Clause ordered to stand part of the Bill.