§ MR. JOHN WILSON (Durham, Mid)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the fact that in 1898 or 1899 the replies received to circulars sent out by the secretary to coroners and their deputies showed that a considerable majority thought that an alteration in the law is advisable, that a coroner should retain the power of the view, but that the question as to whether the coroner, jury, or both should be relieved absolutely was left for further consideration, whether legislation will be undertaken by him somewhat in terms of the Coroners Bill, 1879, No. 243, Clause 5, by which a Select Committee of the House, to whom such Bill had been referred, intended to give coroners and jurymen the relief now asked for.
§ SIR M. WHITE RIDLEYI have made inquiry as to the replies referred to, but I find that there was no such decided or conclusive preponderance of opinion in favour of any definite change in the law as to afford a reason for proposing legislation of the kind suggested.
§ MR. JOHN WILSON (Durham, Mid)Did the replies come from the coroners themselves or from the Society of Coroners?
§ SIR M. WHITE RIDLEYFrom the coroners themselves. There was a preponderance of opinion in favour of some change, but very great difference of opinion as to what change should be suggested.