§ 34. Mr. LUKE THOMPSONasked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the hardships resulting to applicants for old age pensions by reason of their being required to pay the full fee for a copy of their certificate of birth or marriage and also in respect to a search for the same; and whether he will take such steps as may be necessary to provide for the issue of such certificates to, and the searching of records for, applicants for old age pensions free of cost or, in the alternative, at a nominal charge?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINArrangements have, for a number of years, been in force whereby searches are made gratui- 786 tously by the General Register Office in the birth registers at Somerset House upon reference from the pensions officer, and particulars supplied to him in verification of the date of birth of applicants for old age pensions. Applicants are not themselves required to produce a birth certificate in support of a claim, and it does not appear that there is any necessity for provision such as is suggested in the question, which would, in any event, require legislation.