HC Deb 24 October 1946 vol 428 cc15-6
15. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Minister of Health if he will consider the out-of-date forms now in use for certificates of birth, marriage and death, with a view to improving them and making them more consonant with the needs of today.

Mr. Bevan

The existing form of certificate is the only form allowed by the Registration Acts, but if my hon. and learned Friend has any particular improvements to suggest I should be glad to hear from him.

Mr. Hughes

Will the Minister take steps to see that in future such certificates will not include any reference to the illegitimacy of the person concerned who is in no way to blame for the irregularities of his parents?

Mr. Bevan

That is another question entirely, but I am having the whole position examined.

Mr. Janner

Would the Minister also consider the question of issuing certificates without giving the parentage of any individual so that an adopted child shall not for the rest of its life be under the difficulty of having a birth certificate which it cannot produce?

Mr. Bevan

I will bear the matter in mind, but I cannot be expected to give a spot decision.

Mr. McKinlay

Will the Minister eliminate the reference to the illegitimacy of the child and substitute the fact that the parents were illegitimate?

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