§ Mr. Wardasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection when he expects the Price Commission's Report on Funeral Charges to be published.
§ Mr. MaclennanThe report is being published today. It is a valuable report on a matter of deep concern to many and I am grateful to the Price Commission for the care and sensitivity with which it has carried out its study.
The commission's principal finding is that funeral costs in this country are low compared with elsewhere, and price rises have been in line with those of prices generally and substantially less than the increase in earnings. This is an important reassurance to the bereaved.
Profits of smaller businesses, and of coffin manufacturers, were found to be reasonable and even modest, but the commission suggested that the profits of larger companies offered some scope for price restraint. I shall put this proposal to the interests concerned and will make a further statement on the subject when I have their response.
Other recommendations in the report concern the practices of funeral directors. The report suggests that funeral directors should display their prices, give written estimates and set up a comprehensive complaints procedure. The Director General of Fair Trading has been invited to consider the negotiation of a code of practice on these points with the trade.
The commission notes that in North America—where funeral costs have aroused great controversy—there are voluntary and non-profit making memorial societies. While we do not have the North American problem, the commission suggests that memorial societies could be established here also. I commend this suggestion to the initiative of those who consider that simple, inexpensive but dignified funerals should be encouraged, and who want to do something about it.