HC Deb 06 March 1967 vol 742 cc1034-5
30. Miss J. Lestor

asked the Minister of Social Security whether, in view of the hardship caused to the families of non-insurable handicapped people who are disqualified from claiming funeral expenses, she will amend the regulations so as to enable them to claim.

The Minister of Social Security (Miss Margaret Herbison)

We have considered this problem with sympathy but, I regret, without finding a solution within the framework of our contributory scheme of National Insurance. We shall continue to bear the matter in mind in connection with our general review of the social security provisions.

Miss Lestor

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Could she also bear in mind that when the deaths of some of these people take place they take place a long distance from home and the expenses involved are very much greater than those in the death of a person who has been living at home?

Miss Herbison

I accept that. Many of them are at home and have never worked, while others are in institutions and extra expenses can be caused.

Mr. Lubbock

Does the Minister remember my writing to her quite recently about a constituent of mine who has been maintaining an aged relative for many years at considerable expense? In view of the large number of cases of this kind, would it not be better for the funeral benefit to depend on the contribution record of the person maintaining the old person than the record of the old person concerned?

Miss Herbison

That is another question altogether. If the hon. Member wishes to put down a Question on that matter, I will answer it.