HC Deb 15 May 1958 vol 588 cc597-8
37. Mrs. Slater

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further recommendations have been or are to be made to medical practitioners for charges for cremation certificates B and C.

Mr. R. A. Butler

The Annual Report of the Council of the British Medical Association, published in the British Medical Journal on 19th April this year, reminded members of the Association's policy that a suitable fee for the completion of either of these certificates is two guineas plus mileage allowance. The Association has informed me that another reminder was included in a bulletin sent last December to hospital consultants and specialists, and that it recently decided again to draw the attention of hospital staffs to its policy in the next bulletin.

Mrs. Slater

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that reply. In view of the fact that there are many different charges, from two guineas upwards—some of which are considered very excessive—is it possible for his Department to do something to reinforce the bulletin sent out by the Medical Association?

Mr. Butler

We are watching this matter, but in the meantime we would like to support the Association's efforts.