§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what consultations he has had with representatives of the Muslim and Jewish communities about the provision of registrars' services between Christmas and the end of the Millennium holiday; [100584]
(2) what steps he has taken to ensure adequate provision of registrars' services during the period between Christmas and the end of the Millennium holiday. [100585]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe provision of special facilities such as for members of the Muslim and Jewish communities is a matter for the Proper Officer for Registration Matters in each local authority in agreement with the registrars.
The Registrar General's standing instructions will apply as they do every Christmas and New Year period. If the Registrar's Office is shut for two or more consecutive days, or if special facilities such as those for the Jewish and Muslim communities are provided in the area, there will be a notice explaining what arrangements have been made to deal with urgent matters. Proper Officers have been asked to publicise the availability of the service over the Christmas and New Year period. The Registrar General has advised the Proper Officer for Registration Matters in each local authority that an emergency service will be needed for death informants on 30 December 1999 and 4 January 2000.