§ 41. Mr. INGLEBYasked the Home Secretary if he is aware that, in cases where a patient is brought into hospital in a moribund condition and a post mortem examination has to be made and an inquest held, the medical officer who undertakes the post mortem and subsequently attends the inquest to give evidence is precluded by Section 2, Clause 22, of Part II. of the Coroners Act, 1887, from receiving any fee, where as if the patient is dead before being received into hospital the medical officer is, under Section 1, entitled 1021 to receive £2 2s. for his services; if he is aware that coroners have from time to time expressed their opinion in Court of the injustice suffered by the medical profession in this matter; and whether he will introduce a short Bill repealing Section 2 of the Act above referred to?
§ Sir G. CAVEI believe that the facts are as stated in the question, but I do not see my way to propose legislation on this subject at present.
§ Mr. INGLEBYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this matter was dealt with in the Report of a Departmental Committee of the Home Office seven or eight years ago?
§ Sir G. CAVEI cannot say without reference, but I think it is a matter which has been discussed on both sides for some years.
§ Sir WILLIAM COLLINSMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is not the case that the disability referred to in the question dates from the time of the Burke and Hare murders, and whether the condition of things then obtaining was not rendered obsolete by the Anatomy Act, 1832?
§ Sir G. CAVEThat may be so.