Major HENDERSONasked the President of the Local Government Board whether, for purposes of obtaining a certificate of birth when applying for an old age pension, he will consider the 1244W advisability of reducing the cost from 3s. 6d. to 6d., the amount required for a certificate under the National Insurance Act?
§ Mr. BURNSArrangements have been made with a view to saving claimants for old age pensions from the expense of obtaining certificates of their birth. Under these arrangements, in the case of any claimant whose birth was registered in England or Wales since 1st July, 1837, if the year and place of birth can be given, the pension officer may apply to the Registrar-General, with the object of verifying these particulars, if possible, without expense to the claimant. I may add that any alteration in the fees at present payable for certificates would necessitate legislation.