HC Deb 09 July 1984 vol 63 c415W
Mr. Tom Cox

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why he considers it necessary to record the occupation of the father on a birth certificate; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Patten

The recording of the occupation of a child's father in the birth entry serves both as an additional means of identification and as a valuable source of information for statistical purposes. This information has been recorded since 1837.