Letters

WILLS AND PRIVACY

I write this in answer to the letter from Anthony Morgan in the February issue saying that he would like to see recent wills less accessible to the general public. In fact, wills have always been a matter of public record, just like parish records. I can remember my granny often went to the local repository and paid 1s to look at friends’ and neighbours’ probate. Now admittedly this was in Scotland, but Somerset House had the same access I am sure. So, nothing has changed except that they are now accessible across the country digitally. The previous charge was an administrative cost; since technology has reduced the price of producing copies then the price should also reflect this reduction.

Fiona Poulton, by email

A TARGET FOR CRIME

I agree with a lot of what Anthony Morgan said in his letter. In fact when the Probate Service issued a consultation document some years ago, I told them that it seemed wrong to me and that people