Mr. A. T. DAVIESasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that registrars of births, and deaths, and marriages, throughout England and Wales, are the only class of public officials who, as a body, have not received a war bonus, gratuity, or increase in their salaries, in consideration of the existing increased cost of living, and that, although a circular letter on the question was sent to boards of guardians by the Local Government Board, a very small proportion of the named officers have received any benefit in consequence; and whether, seeing that the remuneration for the services of these officers was fixed by the Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1874, Section 31, and has not since that dace been increased or revised, he is prepared to take the necessary steps to bring about the payment of a fee more commensurate with the average salaries paid at this date?
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§ Dr. ADDISONRegistrars of births and deaths are paid by fees and are not salaried officers, and there is therefore no legal authority for the granting of a War bonus to them or for increasing the rate of their remuneration. With a view to meeting cases of hardship among these officers, owing to the increase in the cost of living, and in some cases diminution in their fees, the Local Government Board issued a circular letter in May, 1918, suggesting that gratuities might be granted by boards of guardians in suitable cases, and the Board offered to sanction the payment of such gratuities under the Local Authorities (Expenses) Act, 1887. They have given sanction in a large number of cases. The Board have no power to compel guardians to give gratuities, and they have made it clear that it is for the guardians to decide whether a gratuity should be given in any particular case. Legislation would be necessary to vary the rate of remuneration paid to these officers, but I could not at present promise to introduce legislation for this purpose. Registrars in many cases hold other offices and are not wholly dependent on their fees.