§ Mr. GILLETTasked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that certain North 950W London undertakers on the Ministry's list are making a charge of 7s. 6d. to widows of deceased disabled men for the use of a Union Jack to cover the coffins of same at funerals; that this charge is extra to the amount granted by the Ministry for the expenses of such funerals; and whether he will take steps to get this payment refunded to the widows and omit the names of such undertakers from the official list in future?
Lieut.-Colonel STANLEYNo complaint on this matter has been brought to the notice of my right hon. Friend. While it is of course open to the relatives to make any arrangements for special funeral furnishings, in addition to those ordinarily provided, it would not be proper for an undertaker who is under contract with the Ministry to make the provision of any extras a condition of his contract service. If any such case be brought to notice, my right hon. Friend would take suitable action.