asked the Prime Minister which Minister is responsible to Parliament for the administration of the Department of the Registrar-General and the functions thereof.

In the recent redistribution of functions no change has been made in the relationship between the Minister of Health and the Registrar-General, who is a statutory officer discharging responsibilities entrusted to him directly by Parliament under various Acts.

Will the Prime Minister consider whether it might be desirable to associate this officer with the Ministry of National Insurance at the present time?

I do not think there is any reason for a change. As I pointed out, most of the duties of the Registrar-General are laid down by Statute.