§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the Home Secretary with reference to the administration of the Legitimacy Act, 1925, whether he is aware that the parents, on 1663W application to Somerset House, are notified that they must attend at the registrar's office where the birth was originally registered; that the registrar will not accept the mother's attendance but requires that of the father also; and that, when the birth is re-registered and a copy of the certificate is required, the new certificate is made out as at the date of the new registration, and that there is added the phrase, Issued on the instructions of the Registrar-General; and whether he will consider the possibility of ameliorating these conditions by arranging that a certificate on re-registration shall not be distinguishable from any ordinary birth certificate?
§ Sir K. WOODI have been asked to reply. In reply to the first and second parts of the question re-registration must be effected in the sub-district in which the birth occurred in accordance with the Births and Deaths Registration Acts, 1836–1901, but if it is not convenient for either parent to attend personally at the registrar's office, a declaration can he made before the registrar of the sub-district in which the parent is residing. Similar provision is made for persons resident outside England or Wales. As regards the remainder of the question I am afraid that it is not possible to arrange that a certificate of re-registration shall be identical with an ordinary birth certificate, but I am having further inquiries made into the matter.