HC Deb 12 November 1918 vol 110 cc2554-5W
Mr. BRUNNER

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that no birth occurring in England or Wales can be registered after seven years from the date of such birth; and what remedy a boy has, to whom on occasions a birth certificate is necessary, when his parents neglected to register his birth?

Mr. WALSH

In 1875 the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown was given that it would be reasonable that the Registrar-General should make a general Regulation prescribing seven years, after which the registration of a birth in England and Wales should not be allowed. A Regulation of the Registrar-General has been in existence since then, which has the force of Statute, prescribing this time limit. In cases where this time limit has expired, the remedy suggested by the Registrar-General has been a statutory declaration as to the facts, supported, if possible, by a baptismal certificate or a written statement from the doctor or nurse who attended the mother of the child. Such declarations, produced as occasion required, have, so far as the Registrar-General is aware, been accepted as evidence of birth, but if the hon. Member has any evidence that hardship has resulted from the operation of the Regulation, I shall be pleased to bring it to the notice of the Registrar-General.