§ Mr. Paul Deanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people are not entitled to the full amount of the death grant on grounds of age; and what would be the additional cost of full entitlement.
§ Mr. PrenticeIt is estimated that, in 1980–81, 110,000 people will die, for whom only a half-rate grant will be payable because they were over 55 (men) or 50 (women) on 5 July 1948; that 20,000 people will die, for whom no grant will be payable because they were over 65 (men) or 60 (women) on 5 July 1948; and that 15,000 children will die, for whom reduced grants will be payable because they are under 18. To pay the full £30 grant in all cases would cost about £2.5 million a year extra.
§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many representations he has received from community health councils and area health authorities, respectively, concerning the need to increase substantially the level of death grant.
§ Mr. PrenticeSince January 1979, my right hon. Friend and I have received 19 such representations from community health councils and one from an area health authority.