HC Deb 25 February 1898 vol 54 cc22-3
MR. M'CARTAN

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the attendance of prisoners at coroners' inquests, whether it is the practice in England to allow a person who has been arrested in connection with the death to appear at the inquest; by whom is the date fixed for the inquest intimated to the prisoner; and whether it is under Statute or by a rule of the Home Office the governor of the prison is authorised to give the prisoner liberty to attend the inquest?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT

Prison governors have instructions to allow prisoners to attend at inquests in which they are concerned it they wish to do so. There is no settled mode for informing the prisoner of the date of the inquest, but the coroners have been requested, by circular from the Home Office, to send an intimation to the governor. The practice is regulated by Home Office rule.