Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Razzall (Liberal Democrat). It was answered on Tuesday, 7 March 2006.

Funeral Services

Question: My Lords, does the Minister accept that it is not only the private sector that provides funeral services? In large areas of the country, local authorities subsidise them, particularly the crematoria. Is he aware that in certain areas there is now a view that people must decide on whether the bereaved is to be cremated or buried, because of the rocketing costs? Will the Minister press his equivalent in what used to be called the Department of the Environment—I am not sure what it is now called—to ensure that that point is taken into account in the arcane process of subsidy to local authorities?

Answer: My Lords, I think that the relevant department is the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, and I will draw the noble Lord's point to its attention.

Secondary information