§ 30. Mr. T. KENNEDYasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that fees paid to registrars of marriages have been unaltered for many years, and that, consequent. upon the increased cost of living and the diminution of the number of marriages, due partly to the housing shortage, these officials are suffering hardship; and whether, in view of the fact that they are about the only public officials whose remuneration has not been raised to meet the cost of living, steps can be taken to repair this omission?
60. Captain CROOKSHANKasked the Minister of Health whether he has under consideration the question of raising the fees of registrars for births and deaths; when the present scale of fees was 1115 adopted; and whether he proposes introducing legislation at an early date with a view to placing such registrars on a salary basis?
§ The MINISTER of HEALTH (Mr. Neville Chamberlain)I have been asked to reply. The reconstruction of the registration service has already been receiving my attention, and I hope to introduce legislation dealing with the subject as soon as circumstances permit. In connection with such legislation the present scale of fees, which dates substantially from 1836, and the general financial basis of the service will, undoubtedly, have to be reconsidered.