§ Colonel M'CALMONTasked the President of the Local Government Board whether it was originally laid down that claimants for old age pensions would be required to have their certificates stamped; and whether an order has lately been issued requiring a stamp to be affixed to them?
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§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe certificates referred to are probably baptismal certificates. Such certificates are liable under the law to a Stamp Duty of Id. In the early stages of the old age pension work the Board of Inland Revenue expressed their willingness to dispense with formal certificates of baptism and to accept as evidence of age a written statement by the person in charge of the register that the entry had been found therein. In consequence, however, of certain serious frauds which have come to notice, the Board of Customs and Excise have been obliged to reconsider the position and to emphasise the formal character of these certificates and the responsibility of those who give them. They have accordingly directed pension officers not to accept a certificate of baptism as evidence unless it is given in proper form and bears a penny stamp as required by law.