HC Deb 26 January 1973 vol 849 cc265-6W
Mr. Cyril Smith

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will cause inquiries to be made in the Inland Revenue Department as to the time taken between receipt of marriage and birth certificates in languages other than English and their verification.

Mr. Nott

The time varies between four weeks and, where verification involves a reference to a foreign country, two years or more.

Mr. Cyril Smith

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons are employed by the Inland Revenue Department on the checking of marriage and birth certificates received in Urdu; and, in view of the delays in granting tax

weeks at the appropriate rate and when unemployed after 39 weeks' employment and when qualifying for earnings-related supplement; and how many weeks of the year the take-home pay when out of work could exceed the take-home pay when at work.

Mr. Nott

The figures are as follows:—

allowances to Commonwealth immigrants, if he will consider increasing this number.

Mr. Nott

Twenty-two staff of the Inland Revenue department are engaged on the checking of marriage, birth and other certificates in various languages, including Urdu. No increase in the number is planned. Unavoidable delays, outside the control of the departments, may occur when reference to the country of origin is necessary.