Oral Answers to Questions — Paternity Disputes.

– in the House of Commons at on 6 May 1937.

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Photo of Mr Reginald Sorensen Mr Reginald Sorensen , Leyton West

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider making blood-tests legally necessary in the case of paternity disputes brought into court?

Photo of Mr John Simon Mr John Simon , Spen Valley

As the hon. Member realises, legislation would be necessary to give effect to this proposal, and I am not in a position to make any statement as to legislation on this subject.

Photo of Mr Reginald Sorensen Mr Reginald Sorensen , Leyton West

Would the right hon. Gentleman encourage legislation in this direction, seeing that blood-tests would be a very useful method of settling disputes which could not otherwise be settled, and in view of that, would he take steps to have the whole matter seriously considered?

Photo of Mr John Simon Mr John Simon , Spen Valley

There are a great many matters which probably deserve further attention here, and I doubt whether this is one which could be put in the front of the Government programme. Of course, it is a matter upon which any private Member might hope to bring in a Bill at the proper time.