§ Mr. George Grantasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the percentage increase in burial expenses since the national insurance death grant was last increased.
§ Mr. DeanInformation about burial expenses is not available but I understand that the usual charge for a funeral at minimum standard has increased by some 30 per cent. since 1967.
§ Mr. George Grantasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will increase the national insurance death grant in cases of financial hardship; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DeanWe have no proposal for varying the rate of death grant according to financial circumstances.
Area Education Social Work Health Roads Total £000s. £000s. £000s. £000s. £000s. County Boroughs: Cardiff … … … 234 304 10 105 653 Merthyr … … … 210 70 — 19 299 Newport … … … — — — 20 20 Swansea … … … 40 — — 169 209 Counties: Anglesey … … … 83 79 15 80 257 Brecon … … … 102 — — 88 190 Caernarvon … … … 183 193 42 144 562 Cardigan … … … 386 95 — 125 606 Carmarthen … … … 160 80 45 232 517 Denbigh … … … 579 70 — 139 788 Flint … … … — 100 — 218 315 Glamorgan … … … 1,112 539 103 171 1,925 Merioneth … … … 26 — — 323 349 Monmouth … … … 164 163 40 522 889 Montgomery … … … 105 — — 107 212 Pembroke … … … 234 — — 138 372 Radnor … … … 25 — — — 25 Hospitals … … … — — — — 3,000 Locally determined schemes … — — — — 6,500 Totals … … 3,643 1,693 255 2,600 17,691