Mr. Smithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether there are any plans to review the operation of the registration service for births, deaths and marriages in England and Wales.
§ Mr. John PattenA scrutiny of the registration service in England and Wales will be included in the central scrutiny programme. The scrutiny — part of a series being organised and co-ordinated by the Government efficiency unit—will be looking at the operation of the service and the way it is organised, financed and controlled. Local authorities, which at present fund a large proportion of the cost, have asked for a review and Ministers have agreed to this. We hope the scrutiny will be starting later in the year.