HC Deb 01 February 1971 vol 810 cc292-4W
Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many men and women, aged over 88 and 83 years, respectively, are not entitled to death grant; and what is his estimate of the cost of making them eligible.

Mr. Dean

It is estimated that there are about 550,000 persons—50,000 men born before 5th July, 1883, and 500,000 women born before 5th July, 1888—on whose death a grant will not be payable. To pay a grant at the half-rate of £15 payable to those who were within ten years of pensionable age in 1948 would cost about £8 million spread over a number of years.

Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will consider taking steps to provide the full death grant to all those who qualify for reduced grant, or no grant, by virtue of their being over minimum pension age on 5th July, 1948.

Mr. Dean

No. Death grant was an entirely new benefit under the National Insurance scheme introduced on 5th July, 1948. Those who were over pensionable age on that date did not become insured under the new scheme and could not therefore be covered for death grant. Those who were within 10 years of pensionable age on 5th July, 1948, and whose insurance under the new scheme was therefore of a limited duration, became covered for half-rate grants only.

This has been looked at on a number of occasions, and examined by the National Insurance Advisory Committee, and it has always been concluded that the present arrangements should stand. I agree with that conclusion.

Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many men and women, aged over 78 years and 73 years, respectively, are entitled only to reduced death grant; and what is his estimate of the cost of making them fully eligible.

Mr. Dean

I assume my hon. Friend is referring to those who were within ten years of minimum pension age on 5th July, 1948. It is estimated that there are about 2,150,000 such people, of whom about 450,000 are men and about 1,700,000 are women. The estimated cost of paying death grant at the full rate on their deaths would be an additional £31 million spread over a number of years.