§ 42. Sir WILLIAM SEAGERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that hardship is inflicted on the thrifty poor by reason of the law not allowing more than £6 to be paid on the death of a child of five years of age although the parents are willing to pay the extra contribution necessary to provide an amount in the event of death to secure decent burial, bearing in mind that the cost of burial to-day is double what it was when the Act was passed; and whether he will consider the desirability of legislation on the subject?
§ Mr. STANLEY BALDWIN (Joint Financial Secretary to the Treasury)My right hon. Friend has asked me to take this question as it appears to relate to the 1093 Friendly Societies Acts, but a similar difficulty arises in regard to industrial assurance companies and collecting societies. As he announced on Monday last a Committee has just been appointed to inquire into the business carried on by these organisations, and this is one of the matters which it will be the duty of the Committee to consider. I think that it would be best to await the Committee's Report before considering the desirability of amending the Friendly Societies Acts in this respect.