§ Mr. Stan Thorneasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the present day value of the maximum amount of £30 for which a child could insure a parent under the industrial insurance provisions of 1949; and whether he proposes to increase that ceiling in the near future, in view of the current cost of funerals.
§ Mr. Peter ReesI have been asked to reply.
The policies to which the question refers are intended to supplement the State death grant, to cover personal expenses which might be incurred on the death of the life assured, rather than to cover the costs of a funeral itself. The limit on these policies was set at £20 in 1948 and was increased to £30 with effect from 7 September 1958. The value of £30 in 1958, measured by the general index of retail prices published in October 1979, is £146. Consideration will be given to increasing the limit on the next occasion when legislation is introduced amending the Industrial Assurance and Friendly Societies Acts, although this is unlikely to be in the near future.