asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consider reducing the charges of 3s. 7d. for a duplicate birth certificate and 2s. 7d. for a marriage certificate which certain old age pensioners find great difficulty in paying when making claims in respect of sons lost while serving at sea?

I am informed that in cases where applicants for pension are not already in possession of the appropriate birth or marriage certificates, the production of the certificates is in practice waived.