§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many relations have claimed funeral expenses for the latest available period; and what studies he has commissioned in the use of these funds.
§ Mr. Peter LloydA social fund funeral payment may be claimed by anyone responsible for the costs of a funeral. No statistics therefore exist to indicate the number of claims made by relatives. In the period April to November 1988, 28,950 payments were made. We have commissioned no studies into the use made of these payments which are made to cover the cost of simple funerals.