HC Deb 20 July 1939 vol 350 cc707-8
42. Sir Arnold Wilson

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the general agreement upon the need for inquiry into burial reform and funeral costs recently evinced at a joint conference between burial and cremation authorities at Portsmouth, and in anticipation of a consolidation of the law on the subject, he will consider the appointment of a Departmental Committee to investigate the subject?

Mr. Elliot

After careful consideration, I have come to the conclusion that the existing burial law is so complicated that some measure of consolidation and classification is an essential preliminary to any inquiry into the need for reform of the law.

Sir A. Wilson

Can my right hon. Friend state whether the consolidation is now proceeding, or whether it has in fact been suspended?

Mr. Elliot

We have had to suspend these activities owing to the pressure of other work.