§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimates are available of the number of elderly people who do not qualify for a death grant; what would be the cost of including these in the scheme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. OrmeWe estimate that about 200,000 elderly people do not qualify for the death grant and that a further 1,300,000 qualify for a grant of only half the standard rate. As regards cost, I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead on 16th June 1977.—[Vol. 937, c.264–5.]
§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what figures are available for the number of people who during 1977 had to seek supplementary benefit to pay funeral expenses; what were the corresponding figures three years ago, five years ago, and 10 years ago; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. OrmeI refer my hon. Friend to Table 7.4 of the Supplementary Benefits Commission's annual report for 1976 (Cmnd. 6910), which sets out the information available.
281W
§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has recently received on the size of the death grant in light of the Price Commission Report on funeral costs.
§ Mr. OrmeNone of the representations I have received about the level of death grant has related it to the issues discussed in the Price Commission report.