§ Mr. Mike Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what progress has been made since the publication of the Price Commission's Report on Funeral Charges.
§ Mr. MaclennanThe Price Commission Report on Funeral Charges was published on 24th March. I indicated at stage that officers of my Department would be holding discussions with interested bodies about the report. The Office of Fair Trading is discussing with the trade proposals for a code of practice which would cover the Price Commission's recommendations concerning the practices of funeral directors. Agreement on a code of practice—which was one of the Commission's principal recommendations—would, I am sure, be a major step forward.
The Commission also felt that the profits of larger funeral companies offered some scope for price restraint. This aspect of the report has been discussed in particular with the co-operative movement, the major funeral furnishers who account for some 24 per cent. of the national trade. I welcome the movement's firm intention to prevent its charges from rising in real terms, and its assurance that it will endeavour to restrain price increases by vigilant containment of costs. I also particularly welcome the high standard of responsibility which it set itself towards the less prosperous members of the community. I am sure that this commitment to price restraint by the co-operative movement must have a favourable effect on price restraint across the market.