What assessment he has made of the consumer protection regime governing the market for funeral pre-payment plans sold by companies to elderly people on the endorsement of registered charities. - Including ref to the recent consultation paper published by my Department in July on pre-paid funerals. (Holding answer 9 December...

What assessment he has made of the consumer protection regime governing the market for funeral pre-payment plans sold by companies to elderly people on the endorsement of registered charities. - Including ref to the recent consultation paper published by my Department in July on pre-paid funerals. (Holding answer 9 December...

What plans he has to review the provision of Social Fund funeral payments.

What plans he has to review the provision of Social Fund funeral payments.

If he will list the expenditure from the Social Fund in respect of funeral expenses in Wales for each of the last three years. - Text of letter from Peter Mathison dated 16 July 1996 of Benefits Agency.

If he will list the expenditure from the Social Fund in respect of funeral expenses in Wales for each of the last three years. - Text of letter from Peter Mathison dated 16 July 1996 of Benefits Agency.

Statement on Social Fund for 1995-96 and the Social Fund Commissioner's annual report.

Statement on Social Fund for 1995-96 and the Social Fund Commissioner's annual report.

What information his Department has received concerning the numbers of those injured during the alleged police attack on the funeral procession of Mr Baburam Shengden on 21st June; what representations he has made to ensure that the injured received appropriate medical treatment. - Inc figs.

What information his Department has received concerning the numbers of those injured during the alleged police attack on the funeral procession of Mr Baburam Shengden on 21st June; what representations he has made to ensure that the injured received appropriate medical treatment. - Inc figs.

What information has been evaluated by his Department about the circumstances and causes of the reported death in custody in India of Mr Baburam Shegdem; what representations he has made to the Indian Government about the subsequent events at the funeral of Mr Shegdem.

What information has been evaluated by his Department about the circumstances and causes of the reported death in custody in India of Mr Baburam Shegdem; what representations he has made to the Indian Government about the subsequent events at the funeral of Mr Shegdem.

If he will make it his policy to ensure that a higher proportion of all funeral expenses of those receiving social security benefit are met by the State. - We have no plans to do so. However, all aspects of the benefits system are kept under review.

If he will make it his policy to ensure that a higher proportion of all funeral expenses of those receiving social security benefit are met by the State. - We have no plans to do so. However, all aspects of the benefits system are kept under review.

What assessment he has made of the effect of the new system of social fund funeral payments, on prices and costs in the funeral industry.

What assessment he has made of the effect of the new system of social fund funeral payments, on prices and costs in the funeral industry.

What evidence he has evaluated in respect of the scale of abuse in relation to the social fund funeral payments system. - Includes figures.

What evidence he has evaluated in respect of the scale of abuse in relation to the social fund funeral payments system. - Includes figures.

What was the average cost of a funeral in each of the last five years and for the current year in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) the United Kingdom as a whole; and what figures Dept has on average cost of a funeral in each of last...

What was the average cost of a funeral in each of the last five years and for the current year in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) the United Kingdom as a whole; and what figures Dept has on average cost of a funeral in each of last...

What recent investigations his Department has commissioned into the cost of simple funerals.

What recent investigations his Department has commissioned into the cost of simple funerals.

What plans he has to appoint an independent regulator of the funeral industry. - I have been asked to reply. I have no such plans.

What plans he has to appoint an independent regulator of the funeral industry. - I have been asked to reply. I have no such plans.

What powers he has to regulate the funeral industry; and what self regulatory structures exist; what powers he has to limit the prices charged by the funeral industry.

What powers he has to regulate the funeral industry; and what self regulatory structures exist; what powers he has to limit the prices charged by the funeral industry.

What is his policy with regard to the use of (a) alternative coffins and (b) woodland burial sites.

What is his policy with regard to the use of (a) alternative coffins and (b) woodland burial sites.