§ 13. Mr. Dempseyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will undertake a review of the rate of the death grant when the results of the Price Commission's survey of funeral costs are made known; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DeakinsI can assure my hon. Friend that the Government will have regard to the commission's findings, but any possible improvement in the rate of the death grant must necessarily be weighed against other competing claims on scarce resources.
§ Mr. DempseyIs my hon. Friend aware that one of my constituents accepted responsibility for burying a deceased relative of no fixed abode, and that the funeral, consisting of a hearse, cortege, one car, the funeral parlour and crematorium expenses, amounted to £104, at early 1975 prices? All that she received was £30. In view of the high cost of dying, should not the grant be increased substantially and immediately?
§ Mr. DeakinsThe grant has never covered all the expenses connected with a funeral. Although it has been increased only twice since 1949, it still makes a modest contribution to the overall cost. If my hon. Friend's constituent had been on supplementary benefit or, alternatively, not in full-time work but with an income slightly above supplementary benefit level, she could have received assistance from the Supplementary Benefits Commission.
§ Mr. George RodgersIs my hon. Friend aware that if a sick or elderly person died who had been befriended and cared for by a neighbour or friend rather than a relative, that person would not qualify for death grant? Does he not think that that is disgraceful?
§ Mr. DeakinsThat is bound to happen, because we have a contributory scheme for the death grant. If my hon. Friend is suggesting that we should replace the contributory death grant by a means-tested benefit, that is something that we should object to very strongly.