§ MR. J. P. FARRELLI beg to ask the Attorney General whether he is aware that, in the case of the death of poor people in many big towns of England, whose relatives have insured them for the purpose of getting a small sum for burial uses, it is the custom of the insurance agents to call upon the friends of deceased, and, having represented to them the delay for inquiry and certifying purposes which must take place before a payment is made, offer them a sum much smaller than the amount insured for in satisfaction of the full amount of the policy; and that in most cases, owing to their poverty and the necessity for an early funeral, these people frequently commute their claims for a small sum paid down; and whether some steps, by legislation or otherwise, will he taken by the Law Officers of the Crown to put a stop to this practice?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir RICHARD WEBSTER, Isle of Wight)I have no information respecting the practice referred to in the Question of the hon. Member. It does not seem to me a matter which can be dealt with by legislation or legal proceedings. If the hon. Member will communicate to me any specific case, I shall be glad to consider whether any action can be taken.