§ Mr. Greville Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what provision is made through his Department to assist the parents of deceased children unable under present rules to obtain any death grant.
§ Mr. RossiParents who are entitled to supplementary benefit can claim a single payment to help with the essential costs of a child's funeral. If a child dies in art NHS hospital, the health authority can, and should. arrange and pay for burial or cremation if the relatives cannot, otherwise, afford to. Local authorities have a duty—under section 50 of the National Assistance Act 1948—to bury or cremate any dead person where no other arrangements have been made.
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§ Mr. Greville Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will take steps to introduce a death grant payable to the parents of deceased children.
§ Mr. RossiIf the parents meet the requirements relating to the contribution condition and to registration of the child's death, death grant is payable in respect of the death of a child. In the consultative document published today, the Government set out possible options for a new non-contributory funeral grant which would cover deaths of children as well as adults.
§ Mr. Stallardasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to be able to release the consultative document concerning the future of the death grant, which was promised early in March; and if he will make a statement.