§ Mr. O'HaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been undertaken by his Department on the effects of recent changes to Social Security Fund payments on the numbers of section 46 funerals. [62790]
§ Ms JowellNone. Payments have been made from the Social Fund for some years for a funeral service and burial or cremation. Certain additional expenses have been met since 1997, but these are unlikely to affect the number of funerals paid for by local authorities.
§ Mr. O'HaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance has been issued to local authorities regarding the manner in which section 46 funerals should be conducted. [62791]
§ Ms JowellGuidance on the detailed interpretation of the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984, including guidance on section 46, was issued by the Public Health Legal Information Unit in 1994.
§ Mr. O'HaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average cost is of a section 46 funeral; and what is the average level of payment made by the Social Fund. [62789]
§ Ms JowellThe Department does not record local authority payments for funerals carried out under section 46 of the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984. Questions on payments from the Social Fund are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security.
§ Mr. O'HaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many funerals were provided by local authorities in England and Wales under section 46 of the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 in each year since 1990. [62792]