§ 12. Mr. Joan Evansasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to complete his consideration of all aspects of the death grant, referred to in his parliamentary answer to the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner), Official Report, 9 June, c. 64.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe problem is that we cannot look at the death grant in isolation but must consider it in the context of other priorites in the social security field and in the light of the overriding need to restrain public expenditure. However, we shall make a statement about 1295 our conclusions on the death grant as soon as we can.
§ Mr. EvansIs the Minister aware that the death grant would have to be increased to £140 to restore it to its 1949 value? Will the Government deal with the matter urgently in response to the strong representations that they have received from the Dignity in Death Alliance, which represents more than 47 organisations?
§ Mr. PrenticeMy figures show that it would cost more than £160 to restore the death grant, which illustrates the size of the problem. The House will be aware that since the death grant was inaugurated in 1949 it has been increased only twice, in 1958 and 1967. That shows the continuing problem faced by successive Governments in trying to deal with this difficult problem.
§ Mr. HendersonIs my right hon. Friend aware that many of our hon. Friends are concerned that the level of the death grant has not kept pace with reality and, feel that, if it is not to keep pace, rather than give it a lingering death, it might be better to do away with it?
§ Mr. PrenticeWe are considering all options. Our recent study "Families, Funerals and Finances" showed that about 90 per cent. of people did not have any financial problem when dealing with the expenses of a funeral but that the other 10 per cent. did face problems. It is difficult to define the categories of people and the difficulties that they face.