§ 1. Mr. Hooleyasked the Minister of Social Security if she will take steps to remedy the situation whereby a death grant cannot be paid in respect of a person who during lifetime has been permanently unable to pay insurance contributions because of physical or mental incapacity.
§ The Minister of Social Security (Miss Margaret Herbison)I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 6th March to my hon. Friend the Member for Eton and Slough (Miss Lestor). —[Vol. 742, c. 1034–5.]
§ Mr. HooleyIs my right hon. Friend aware that this is a very cruel anomaly which causes serious hardship to the relatives of handicapped people? Can she not do something about it in advance of the general review of social security benefits?
§ Miss HerbisonI am very much aware of the difficulties that can arise in such cases. At present, if a person who has accepted responsibility for the funeral is in receipt of supplementary benefits, the Supplementary Benefits Commission can make a payment towards the funeral.
§ Mr. LiptonIs my right hon. Friend aware that in the case of the death of a 22-year-old spastic in Brixton who was not insurable and who had had to live on National Assistance since the age of 16, his parents had to pay the whole cost of the funeral, although they were in very humble circumstances? There cannot be many of these cases. Cannot something be done to help this tragic category of case?
§ Miss HerbisonThis is the sort of case about which my hon. Friend asked in his Question. We have examined the matter and have come to the conclusion that under the contributory system it would be difficult to find a solution, but we are trying to find a solution in some 16 other way. If the parent is in receipt of supplementary benefit help can be given.