HC Deb 10 June 1941 vol 372 cc45-6W
Mr. Kirkwood

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the heavy funeral expenses falling on poor persons when several of their family are killed in an air-raid, in view of the fact that the Ministry of Pensions only makes grants for civilian defence workers or persons gainfully employed; and whether, as civilians are now in the front line, he will give all air-raid victims a funeral at the public expense, like soldiers killed in action, or establish a national funerals fund, and so remove any necessity for poor persons to seek help from the Public Assistance Department?

Sir W. Womersley

When the grant made by my Department is not applicable local authorities have the duty of arranging funerals for civilian casualties on behalf of the State in much the same way as the Defence Departments undertake the funeral arrangements for members of the forces. Grants are provided by the Ministry of Health from State funds for the cost of these funerals, which are thus no less honourable than the burial of a soldier and impose no charge on the relatives.