§ 88. Major Legge-Bourkeasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that some parents, whose children have been born in wedlock, have been advised by registrars not to apply for the shortened form of birth certificate because of the risk of such children being deemed illegitimate, if he will take immediate steps to prevent any such stigma being cast on such certificates and arrange that remuneration of registrars is no longer allowed to depend on the number of certificates of birth issued by them.
§ Mr. BevanNo such stigma should attach to the short certificates because in fact they are being issued in respect of legitimate as well illegitimate persons. No registrar ought to discourage the public from obtaining the short certificate and the Registrar-General is issuing further instructions to dispel any misapprehension there may be on this point.
§ Mr. PiratinIs there any reason for retaining the old, long certificate?
§ Mr. BevanYes, Sir. It was explained when I spoke on the Bill that there are reasons why it is necessary.