§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what guidance he gives to local offices on the cost criteria to be applied to funerals conducted at crematoria as against church funerals and as to what weight to give to these relative costs when asked to provide assistance with meeting these costs;
(2) what guidance his Department gives to local offices about the financing of church funerals when the deceased dies in a state of destitution.
§ Mr. ScottNone. Social fund funeral payments are made under regulations. Decisions on claims are taken by independant adjudication officers. The chief adjudication officer provides guidance to them in the adjudication officers' guide, a copy of which is in the Library.