§ Colonel Carverasked the Minister of Health whether he will authorise grants of money for funeral purposes to dependants of those killed by enemy action, and who were completely destitute at the time, and so avoid a pauper's funeral?
Mr. M. MacDonaldI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for South Portsmouth (Sir J. Lucas) on 1st August. Under the Defence Regulations, unless adequate arrangements have been otherwise made, the burial is carried out by the public health authority and the cost does not fall on the relatives or friends. The funeral is carried 1595W out with all dignity, and the local authorities may use the Union Jack in the case of such funerals.