§ 99. Mr. Thurtleasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that registrars attending nursing homes in London for the purpose of registering births state that they are obliged by law to ask mothers of new-born children whether their husbands are the fathers of such children and do, in fact, put such questions to mothers; and by what authority such duty is imposed upon registrars?
§ Sir K. WoodRegistrars are not obliged by law or otherwise to ask the question referred to; and I am advised that they do not do so and the Registrar-General informs me that he has never received any suggestion that such questions have ever been put. If, however, ale hon. Member will give me particulars of any case to the contrary I will, of course, make inquiries and take any necessary action.
§ Mr. ThurtleIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have most excellent reasons for supposing that such questions have been put, and if I give him this information will he take steps to see[HON. MEMBERS: "He has said he will."]—that these registrars exercise more tact and discretion in discharging their duties?