§ Mr. John Pageasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will take steps to make the death grant applicable to those who are at present ineligible due to the fact that they were over the minimum pension age on 5th July 1948; and what the annual cost would be.
§ Mr. Alec JonesAny change in the death grant provisions would have to be considered in terms of priorities against other items of social security expenditure. The cost of extending the grant as suggested by the hon. Member would be about £1½ million in a full year. In equity, however, it would also be necessary to increase to the full rate the present half-rate grant payable in respect of the deaths of persons who were within 10 years of pensionable age on 5th July 1948, and this would cost a further £2½ million in a full year.