HC Deb 07 March 1978 vol 945 cc599-600W
Mr. Corbett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will publish in the Official Report details of the limits of financial assistance available from the Supplementary Benefits Commission to the relatives of the deceased to meet funeral costs; whether he will list the items which such grants cover; what has been the average estimated individual payment made for this purpose in each of the last three years; and what is the latest estimated annual number of such grants made.

Mr. Deakins

The commission's general policy is set out in paragraphs 105 to 107 of the Supplementary Benefits Handbook. Payments are made only to cover essential costs, for example, for a hearse and other necessary transport, a basic plot, a plain coffin, minister's fees and undertaker's administrative expenses; items such as refreshments, obituary notices and extra cost of a private plot are not covered. Table 7.4 of the commission's annual report for 1976 gives the figures requested for 1973–75. I regret that, as a result of industrial action, figures cannot be provided for 1976; figures for 1977 are not yet available.

Mr. Corbett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what assistance local authorities are empowered to give under the National Health Service Act 1948 in connection with burials; whether he will estimate the number of cases where such assistance has been given in the past three years; and whether he will encourage local authorities to make these duties more widely known.

Mr. Deakins

Local authorities have a duty under Section 50 of the National Assistance Act 1948 to arrange for the burial or cremation of anyone who has died in their area when no other suitable arrangements are made. They may also make similar arrangements for those who die in accommodation provided by the authority under Part III of that Act—for example, homes for the elderly, hostels for the disabled. My Department does not monitor the working of these arrangements, but I have no reason to believe that they are not widely enough known.

Forward to