HC Deb 27 April 1917 vol 92 cc2806-8

Order for Second Beading read.

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr.Brace)

I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a second time."

It may facilitate matters if I give a brief explanation of this Bill. It proposes that instead of summoning twenty-three jurymen to serve as coroner's jurymen we should only summon eleven, and that instead of twelve being the number for a coroner's jury a jury of seven should be the number. We find it very difficult to get men for coroners' juries during this period of war-time, and it is causing coroners much difficulty; therefore I beg the House to give me a Second Reading of this Bill as a very necessary war measure.

Mr. H. P. HARRIS

This is a Useful little measure, even in peace time. An excessive demand is made upon citizens, because coroners have to summon not less than twelve and not more than twenty-three jurymen to try questions which arise in Coroners' Courts. The substitution of seven and eleven for twelve and twenty-three will be a relief. But I want to ask the hon. Gentleman whether he cannot proceed a little further in the same direction in the interests of public convenience and economy. The number of inquests held could be considerably lessened if the coroner had power to consult independent medical opinion before he decided whether or not to hold an inquest in cases where the cause of death is not certified by a medical practitioner. The coroner does not hold an inquest in a large number of cases at present. In London, for example, no inquests were held in 2,322 cases brought to the notice of the coroner in 1914, but a considerable number of unnecessary inquests are held now because the coroner cannot incur any expense in holding an inquiry until he has gone through the formality of setting up an inquest. In London 6,794 inquests were held in 1914 and in nearly half of them a verdict of death from natural causes was returned. It is evident, therefore, that if the coroner had been able to order a post modem examination before he held the inquest, in a number of cases the inquest would have been unnecessary. All that is wanted is that the local authorities shall have the power to pay the necessary fees. I feel sure, if my proposal were accepted, public economy and convenience would be served.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

Resolved—That this House will immediately resolve itself into Committee on the Bill.—[Mr. Pratt.]

Bill accordingly considered in Committee, and reported, without Amendment; read the third time, and passed.