HL Deb 13 September 1972 vol 335 cc325-6
LORD TEVIOT

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Questions was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how they can reconcile among other proposed increases a proposed 87½ per cent. increase in the price of birth, marriage and death certificates and a proposed 15 per cent. increase in the price of checking index entries with the present policy to combat inflation.

The MINISTER OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY (LORD ABERDARE)

My Lords, the fees paid by the public for birth, marriage and death certificates, and for the checking of index entries, have for many years past been less than the actual cost of providing these services, and this will still be the position after the increases which take effect on October 1 next. The balance remains a charge on the Exchequer and particularly on local rates. The increases have already been deferred for twelve months and it is no part of the price restraint policy to put up rates.

LORD TEVIOT

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that not very encouraging reply, I should like to ask him if he can tell me whether it is part of Her Majesty's Government's policy to look into the economics of certain Civil Service Departments? Can he please give me an assurance that this Department is running as economically as possible?

LORD ABERDARE

My Lords, I am quite sure that it is, especially after the tribute which has just been paid by the noble Lord, Lord Davies of Leek, to those who work in the Department. I can only tell the noble Lord that there have been only two increases in these fees since 1837.

LORD LEATHERLAND

My Lords, does the noble Lord's Answer indicate that the Government, not content with putting up the cost of living, are now putting up the cost of dying?

LORD ABERDARE

No, my Lords. The fees for essential purposes are not being increased.

LORD BEAUMONT OF WHITLEY

My Lords, if the fees are not fixed to cover the actual costs, may I ask on what basis they are fixed?

LORD ABERDARE

My Lords, they are fixed on a proportion of the cost, but not on the whole cost. The actual cost of the marriage and registration service is about £5 million annually; the cost at the General Register Office of that part of the service which handles applications for certificates is about another £500,000; and a further sum of over £1 million is spent centrally. The total from fees is expected to be about £2 million; so it is about 50 per cent.