HC Deb 19 February 1959 vol 600 c522
17. Mr. Reeves

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that doctors are still charging more than is recommended by the British Medical Association for the signing of cremation certificates B and C, and that the hon. Member for Greenwich has in his possession a receipt of two doctors charging £8 8s. 0d. for certificates B and C for one cremation of one whose relatives could ill afford such a sum; if he is aware that such excessive charges are detrimental to this hygenic method of disposing of the dead, and are becoming a public scandal; and what steps he is now taking to check this tendency.

Mr. Renton

The Home Office has recently embarked upon a review of the Cremation Regulations and this matter will be included in the review.

Mr. Reeves

I hope the Minister will realise that all the efforts which have been made towards a voluntary agreement have been quite unsuccessful and that time after time these voluntary arrangements have been violated. It is becoming a very serious matter these days. It is a crime against the method of disposal. I hope that the working party will take seriously into consideration the information which is now available.

Mr. Renton

No doubt the working party will wish to bear in mind what the hon. Member has said.