§ 50. Mr. Woodburnasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the hardship caused to the families of deceased serving men owing to the failure of the several Services to supply at once proper death certificates; and whether he will make arrangements with the Navy, Army and Air Force for this to be done or, alternatively, make the acceptance of Service notification of death binding upon insurance companies, friendly societies, etc.?
§ The Prime MinisterCertificates of death, according to the records of the Service departments, are issued by those departments on request, and, although they have no legal authority, I am informed that they are generally accepted for the purposes for which they are required. I am not aware of any avoidable delay in the issue of these certificates or of any hardship arising from the present practice, and I see no reason, therefore, for any change of procedure.
§ Mr. WoodburnIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that some of the insurance companies are not accepting the present certificates, and that as a result many poor people are put in a difficult position?
§ The Prime MinisterOf course, there are cases in which a man is missing and death cannot be presumed until a reasonable time has elapsed, but the supplementary question will be studied by the department concerned with a view to taking any action which is thought necessary.