HC Deb 18 February 1964 vol 689 c194W
Mr. Lubbock

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to amend the Cremation Regulations so that in the case of deaths occurring in a hospital administered under the National Health Service, or in accommodation provided under Part III of the National Assistance Act 1948, only one death certificate is required.

Mr. Woodhouse

No. The purpose of the two medical certificates required by the Cremation Regulations before a body can be cremated is to ensure that a proper examination of the remains has been made in order to exclude the possibility a the destruction of evidence of serious crime or negligence. The place of death is irrelevant to this requirement.

Mr. Lubbock

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to amend the Cremation Act, 1952, so as to provide that the State shall pay the fee in respect of one death certificate in every case.

Mr. Woodhouse

No. My right hon. Friend has Dower to prescribe the maximum fee payable in respect of the two medical certificates required under the Cremation Regulations and he is considering the desirability of exercising this power in connection with the present review of the Regulations. The payment of such fees, however, is a matter for private arrangement between the personal representatives of the deceased and the medical practitioners giving the certificates. It would not be right for any payment over and above the normal death grant to be made out of public funds for this purpose.