§ 3. Mr. THURTLEasked the Minister of Pensions if he is prepared to take steps in order to ensure that the funeral grant, now available under children's regulations for Section nine children, shall be available in all eases of motherless children who die whilst in receipt of pension?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Major Tryon)I have no general authority to pay the funeral expenses of children or of other dependants. The circumstances which make it necessary to pay such additional expenses in the ease of the small class of neglected children, who are under the entire care of the Ministry in consequence usually of an Order of Court, do not obtain in the case of other classes of children.
§ Mr. THURTLEDo I understand that the right hon. Gentleman thinks it would be necessary to change the Royal Warrant to enable him to do this?
§ Major TRYONI must have notice of the exact form in which the change would have to be made. It has always been the policy of successive Governments to maintain this distinction.