§ MR. COBB (Warwick, S.E., Rugby)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet ascertained from the Coroner if the statement, which he furnished for the information of the House, truly represented the facts as to the inquest upon the late Duke of Bedford; whether he has been informed that, in this case, the usual practice was departed from, and that upon the notice card in the Coroner's office, which, for the information of the public and the Press, gives the dates, places, times and numbers of inquests to be held, no reference of any kind was made to the inquest in question; whether it is the custom to use a notice card until the notices extend to the bottom of the card, and if in this case the notice card, although not filled up with notices, was removed on the afternoon of the day of the public announcement of the suicide, and destroyed, and another card substituted; and whether he will cause a thorough investigation to be made 1519 into all the circumstances, in order that the public may know upon what official in the Coroner's office the blame rests?
§ MR. MATTHEWSThe question implies a charge of untruthfulness against the Coroner, which on his behalf I am bound to repudiate. The statement which he furnished truly represented the facts. The usual practice was not departed from. The card was filled in, as is customary, and the inquest in question was referred to on the card, the place and date of holding it being mentioned. The notice card never mentions the name of the deceased. It was not removed before it was filled. The hon. Member is probably not aware that by law it was absolutely in the discretion of the Coroner, if he thought proper, to hold the inquiry in private. I am not aware that any blame attaches to any official in the Coroner's office, and I should not be justified in making any further investigation of the kind suggested.
§ MR. COBBIf I can prove to the right hon. Gentleman's satisfaction that the statement which the Coroner made to him for the information of the House is not true, will further inquiry be made into the matter?
§ MR. MATTHEWS0f course, I shall listen with the greatest attention to any proof that the hon. Member tenders to me, and I shall act upon my judgment in reference to it.