§ MR. KEIR HARDIE (Merthyr Tydfil)To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the remarks of Mr. Coroner Graham, of Consett, anent the advisability of discontinuing the practice of compelling juries to view dead bodies upon which inquests are being held; and whether he purposes taking any action for putting an end to this practice.
932 (Answered by Mr. Secretary Akers-Douglas.) My attention had not been called to the remarks in question, but I have read a newspaper report of them which the hon. Member was good enough to send me. Legislation would be necessary to enable the practice to be discontinued; and on this point I can only refer the hon. Member to the Answers given by my predecessor on 22nd February† and 29th March, †1900, to the effect that there was no such decided preponderance of expert opinion in favour of any definite change in the law as would afford a reason for proposing legislation of the kind suggested.