§ Mr. Cocksasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has made investigations into the excessive cost of funerals; and whether he proposes to take any steps in the matter.
§ Captain WaterhouseThe further consideration promised in the reply given on 31st October last to the hon. Members for West Fulham (Dr. Summerskill) and Sedgefield (Mr. Leslie) disclosed great practical difficulties in controlling the price of funerals. Moreover, since the Goods and Services (Price Control) Act, 1941, empowers the Board to control charges only for services in relation to goods and not in relation to dead persons there is no effective action which could be taken without legislation.