Mr. Hollinsasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that relatives of persons killed by enemy action are charged 2s. 7d. for a certificate; and whether he will consider a free issue?
Mr. M. MacDonaldThe fee mentioned is that fixed by statute for a death certificate, apart from any search fee which may be payable, unless the certificate is required for one of the purposes to which the special cheap rate of 1/- is applicable. If, however, as seems likely, my hon. Friend has it in mind that the relatives of a person killed by enemy action may be obliged to produce a death certificate in support of a claim to the Ministry of Pensions, I can assure him that this is not the case. If the claimant does not already possess a death certificate, the death registration is verified by the Registrar General without charge under departmental arrangements.