§ Dr. Mawhinneyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of the position particularly of those on low income, he will take steps to expedite Her Majesty's Government's decision on the death grant.
§ Mr. RossiSpecial help with funeral costs is already available to bereaved families on supplementary benefit. The changes in the supplementary benefit capital limits announced by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 15 March 1983—[Vol. 39, c.144]—will assist those on supplementary benefit who have sought to provide for funeral costs either through savings or life assurance. The Government are still considering the future of the death grant in the light of public response to the proposals in the consultative document which were themselves designed to ensure that available funds were used to give greater help to those in greatest need.