HC Deb 03 April 1973 vol 854 c35W
11. Mr. Maclennan

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will extend the payment of death grants to those who were over the minimum pension age on 5th July 1948.

Mr. Dean

No. Death grant was an entirely new benefit under the National Insurance Scheme in 1948, and those who were over pensionable age on that date had no expectation of such a benefit. They did not become insured under the new scheme and could not therefore be covered for death grant.

52. Mr. McCrindle

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the estimated cost of increasing the death grant to £60 for all those who die at age 75 years or later.

Mr. Dean

£14 million a year.