§ 69. Mr. RENDALLasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make inquiry into the cause of delay in the burial of Mrs. Hale, of the Stroud, Calne, Wiltshire, who died somewhat suddenly on the 27th December; whether he is aware that the doctor notified the coroner's office of the death on the 27th December; that no reply was received from the coroner on the 27th, 28th, 29th, or 30th December; that on the 30th December the police telegraphed the coroner, who replied saying he should not hold an inquest; and, having regard to the fact that meanwhile mortification had set in, and the relatives of the deceased were caused pain and inconvenience he will call upon the coroner for a full explanation?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Ellis Griffith)My right hon. Friend learns from the coroner that he only received notice of this death on the 28th December—a Saturday—in a communication which disclosed no ground for holding an inquest, and he telegraphed on Monday, the 30th, in reply to a definite inquiry, that no inquest was necessary. It does not appear that any delay in the burial of the deceased that may have occurred can reasonably be attributed to negligence on his part. The Secretary of State has no authority in the matter.