HC Deb 30 September 1915 vol 74 cc1010-1
21. Mr. CURRIE

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that companies under the supervision of his Department are freely accepting as conclusive evidence of death the certificate of death issued by the War Office in respect of those killed in action, although the Bank of England declines to do so; whether such certificates are regarded by the Board of Trade as final or provisional intimation and certificate of death; whether they merely certify that death appears from the records to have taken place; and whether he can take steps to render limited companies and trustees secure in accepting a certificate so worded as equivalent to a Somerset House or local registrar's certificate in ordinary form?

Captain PRETYMAN

I understand from the information which the hon. Member has been good enough to lay before me that, in practice, companies are accepting as evidence of death the certificate issued by the War Office in respect of those killed in action, while the Bank of England requires the production of a grant of probate or of letters of administration. As at present advised, I doubt the expediency of introducing special legislation to give additional validity to the War Office certificates.

Mr. CURRIE

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman say a little more definitely, if possible, whether the ordinary limited companies are really safe in accepting these certificates, or would it be wiser not to do so at present?

Captain PRETYMAN

It is rather early at present to give a definite answer to that question. I prefer not to answer it. I cannot take the responsibility of doing so at present.