HC Deb 05 July 1934 vol 291 cc2050-1
17. Mr. LAWSON

asked the Horn Secretary whether he is aware that considerable distress is caused to relatives of persons who are fatally injured just within the boundaries of one coroner's jurisdiction while their homes are in another; that the bodies sometimes lie for two or three days in the mortuary before such bodies are conveyed to the homes of relatives; and whether he can take such steps as will avoid the unnecessary pain arising from this practice?

Sir J. GILMOUR

Section 14 of the Coroners Amendment Act of 1926 empowers a coroner to issue a burial order at any time after he has viewed the body, and I have no doubt that coroners generally are ready to avail themselves of this power in proper cases.

Mr. LAWSON

In view of the very bad case that I brought to the right hon. Gentleman's attention, where a man's body was brought from the pit to Gateshead, just over the border, and then was taken away by the policeman, cannot the right hon. Gentleman do something to modify the position in cases where there are two areas of jurisdiction?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I understand that in that case the body was removed before the coroner had an opportunity of going into the matter. It is essential that the coroner should give an order.

Mr. LAWSON

Is the Home Secretary not aware that the bodies always are removed immediately from the pit to their homes, but in this case it was simply a matter of the coroner's fees, I understand?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I am very anxious, of course, to obviate any kind of unpleasantness in dealing with this problem, but it is essential, from the point of view of the coroner, that the removal of the body should not take place before he gives the order.

Captain HAROLD BALFOUR

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of this particular case and the general unsatisfactory working in the case of fatal injuries and seriously injured persons on the roads, would my right hon. Friend consider setting up a Departmental Committee in order to find out how far overlapping exists and try to straighten out the present unsatisfactory condition of things?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I am prepared to consider the whole matter. I cannot commit myself to what action I shall take.