Written question asked by Ivor Caplin (Labour) on Wednesday, 20 May 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 2 June 1998. It was answered by Nigel Griffiths (Labour) on Tuesday, 2 June 1998 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what further action is being taken to improve consumer protection in the funeral industry.

Answer: Mr. Caplin: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what further action is being taken to improve consumer protection in the funeral industry. [43476] Mr. Nigel Griffiths: The Director General of Fair Trading announced on 15 May that he is to instigate an inquiry into the `at need' funeral industry. I very much welcome this initiative. I share his concern about any allegations of malpractice and aggressive selling techniques in the funerals industry and call upon the industry to raise standards of consumer service. I am also urgently considering measures to ensure that consumers who purchase their funerals in advance are properly protected. My Department is in regular contact with interested parties.

Secondary information