HC Deb 11 February 1926 vol 191 cc1217-8
34. Mr. LAWSON

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that the body of the late George Birtle, who was killed by a fall of stone in the New Lambton Colliery on 6th January, was kept in the ambulance station at the pit until 9th January, and that the widow of the man was prohibited from removing the body of her husband to her home; whether he is aware that the workmen's representative and relatives of the deceased protested against this proceeding at the inquest, and were told by the coroner that it was against the law to remove the body, although in fact it has always been the practice in Durham to do so; and whether he will take the necessary steps to amend the law in order to avoid the repetition of such incidents and give proper consideration to the feelings of the relatives in future?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I am informed by the coroner that the inquest was held at 2 p.m. on the 7th, less than 24 hours after the death, and that the body was removed by the relatives, on authority given by the coroner, at 3.15 p.m. on the 7th. The coroner refused to give such authority until after the inquest began, as there was no mortuary near by and it was for the general convenience to hold the inquest near the colliery.

Mr. LAWSON

Can the right hon. Gentleman not amend the law so that the body can be taken home in such circumstances?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I am afraid the hon. Member has got the facts wrong. I think he said the body remained there until the 9th, but it only remained there until the 7th, the day after the accident, and as soon as the inquest was fixed it was found desirable to remove the body for the convenience of witnesses and others, and the body was removed.

Mr. LAWSON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that for the whole of the last century the bodies of miners have been taken home immediately and the inquest has been held in the ordinary way, and I have never heard of such a decision as was arrived at in this case, and I do not remember a body being detained in this way.

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

Of course, the hon. Member knows more about the practice in pits than I do, but I am told that in this case the inquest was held at the pit for the convenience of all parties, but if the hon. Member says that is not the usual practice, I will make further inquiries.

Mr. R. RICHARDSON

It is a general practice to take the body home.