§ Mr. Onslowasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the West Surrey and North-East Hampshire health authority makes a charge of £32 for doctors' fees for medical papers in respect of patients who die in hospital.
§ Mr. John PattenI understand that the charge referred to relates to the fees payable for the statutory medical certificates required for cremation. These fees, which are generally collected by the undertaker, are payable not to the hospital or the health authority concerned but to the doctors who provide the medical certificates. In the West Surrey and North-East Hampshire health authority these fees are generally channelled for administrative convenience via the health authority to the doctors concerned. I understand that the chairman of the West Surrey and North-East Hampshire health authority has written to my hon. Friend about this.