HC Deb 21 February 1977 vol 926 cc443-4W
Mr. Stephen Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make it possible for a legal guardian or midwife to register the birth of a stillborn child to a single woman under 18 years of age, rather than continue the present practice which requires the mother to do so in person.

Mr. Moyle

The mother of a stillborn child is not the only person who is qualified under the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953 to give information for the registration of the birth. Others who are qualified and liable to act as informant, provided they are able to give the particulars required to be registered, are a person present at the birth, the occupier of the premises where the birth occurred or a person in charge of the child. A midwife or the legal guardian of a mother who is a single woman under 18 may be qualified to act in one or other of these capacities.

If the hon. Member has a particular case of difficulty in mind and will let me have details I shall be glad to look into the matter.