HC Deb 25 May 1938 vol 336 cc1216-7
77. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the employment of a blood test in a recent legal case involving the question of paternity; and whether, in view of the acceptance of this test by the court, he proposes to take any steps to encourage or discourage the practice in similar cases?

The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)

My right hon. Friend has seen newspaper reports about this case. There has never been any doubt that, if each of the parties to affiliation proceedings is willing to submit to a blood test, evidence as to its results is admissible; and the publicity given to the recent case will, it is hoped, make the possibilities of the test more widely known to magistrates and others concerned. Legislation would, however, be required to make blood tests compulsory in cases of dispute as to paternity, and my right hon. Friend can hold out no prospect of introducing legislation on this subject.

Mr. Sorensen

Do I understand that the hon. Gentleman welcomes this development, and that he will do what he can to see that it is still further extended?

Mr. Lloyd

My answer was carefully considered, and I do not think I can add to it,