asked the Minister of National Insurance what, to the most recent convenient date, is the total sum paid out under the National Insurance Scheme by way of funeral grants; what average period elapses between the date of death and payment of the grant; and what procedure relatives have to follow in order to obtain payment.

The figure asked for in the first part of the Question is £1,360,000 during the eight months to the end of February, 1950. The information asked for in the second part is not available. In general, the grant is paid within a few days of the receipt of a claim, which can be made at any time up to a month after the death. I am sending the hon. Member a leaflet describing how to claim a grant.