HC Deb 22 February 1972 vol 831 cc1086-7
13. Mr. Dempsey

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of the rising cost of burials, he will increase the death grant; and if he will make a statement.

65. Mr. Charles R. Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement indicating what proposals he has for increasing the death grant national health insurance entitlement.

Mr. Dean

I must ask the hon. Members to await the statement my right hon. Friend will be making in due course on our proposals arising out of this year's review.

Mr. Dempsey

Would the Minister not agree that since the present grant was fixed funeral costs have escalated and the level of grant no longer represents a fair contribution towards expenses? Accordingly, does he not think the time is overdue when the rate of this grant should be raised to a more realistic level?

Mr. Dean

I accept what the hon. Gentleman says about the rise in the cost of funerals but I hope he will accept that it has not been the practice in the past to increase the death grant at each uprating. This is one of the many priorities which my right hon. Friend will be bearing in mind in this year's review.

Mr. Morris

I thank the Minister for his reply, but will he bear in mind that the ever-increasing cost of living is nothing compared with the ever-increasing cost of dying? My constituents tell me that the average cost of a simple funeral is about £100–£120. As the child of any family is restricted in the amount of insurance which he or she may take out in respect of a parent, is it not time that people were relieved of this financial burden at what is obviously a very distressing time in their lives?

Mr. Dean

This is a question of priorities—of how one rates it when resources are limited, along with the needs of pensioners, widows and the like. My right hon. Friend will bear this point in mind but I cannot give any commitment.

Mr. McCrindle

While questioning the figures given by the hon. Member for Manchester, Openshaw (Mr. Charles R. Morris), may I ask my hon. Friend to bear in mind that there is a great deal of merit in the Question asked by the hon. Member for Coatbridge and Airdrie (Mr. Dempsey)? Recently in my constituency there was evidence of a very substantial increase in local authority burial charges. Would my hon. Friend bear this very much in mind when the review comes along?

Mr. Dean

Yes, I will certainly bear that in mind.