HL Deb 20 January 1948 vol 153 cc434-5
LORD BROUGHSHANE

My Lords, I beg to ask the question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

[The question was as follows:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether, in view of the large amount of work involved, it had been found possible to bring the Births and Deaths Registration Act into operation before the 1st January, 1948; and whether the new birth certificates are now available.]

LORD HENDERSON

My Lords, the Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1947, was enacted to come into force on January 1,1948, or such earlier date as might be appointed by Order in Council. Before the Act could be put into operation it was necessary for various administrative arrangements to be made; including the printing of more than 1,000,000 certificate forms and their distribution to some 1,800 different local offices, in addition to Somerset House. It was, however, found possible to make all the arrangements in time for the Act to be brought into operation on December 15, and an Order in Council was made to that effect. The new certificates, which omit many of the particulars in the full birth entry which are not needed for ordinary purposes, are now available, either at Somerset House or from the superintendent registrar of the district in which the birth occurred. They can also be obtained from the local registrar at the time of registration. They cost only 6d., as against 2s. 7d. or more for the full certificate, and they are proving both popular and convenient. The demand for them is steadily rising, and it is at present about 400 a day at Somerset House alone.

LORD BROUGHSHANE

My Lords, I am sure the House will be gratified to hear that these new certificates are already showing their popularity. They will meet an undoubted grievance and hardship to which attention has already been drawn in your Lordships' House. I hope the Government may think fit to congratulate the Registrar-General, his staff and the printers on the really great work they have done in a very short period of time.

LORD HENDERSON

My Lords, I will bring that suggestion to the notice of my right honourable friend, and I am sure he will take the necessary action.