Dying to get cheaper as Malta ends hearse cartel

[Dave Monroe]

Dying to get cheaper as Malta ends hearse cartel
Tue Jul 8, 2008 10:45am EDT

VALLETTA (Reuters) - The cost of living is rising in Malta, but the
cost of dying may be about to drop.

The Maltese Transport Ministry announced on Monday that the government
had decided to liberalize the granting of licenses for hearses. No
licenses have been issued for 36 years, leaving only 11 owners of
hearses and, in the ministry's words, "creating the conditions for a
cartel."

"The people have been denied freedom of choice and the benefits of
competition" the ministry said.

http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSL0719616320080708