§ 31. Mr. GROVESasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the dissatisfaction existing in certain areas, especially East Ham, concerning the policy of the coroner in employing for all post-mortem examinations one particular pathologist; whether he is aware that it has always been the practice hitherto, apart from exceptional criminal cases, for the general practitioner attending the case to be called upon either to perform the post-mortem examination or at least to be present when such is made; and whether he will take whatever action is necessary to ensure that general practitioners are not denied this valuable pathological experience?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Since the passing of the Coroners (Amendment) Act, 1926, it has been open to a coroner to request any legally qualified medical practitioner to make a post-mortem examination and I have no power to interfere in any way with the discretion which is conferred on the coroner by statute.
§ Mr. GROVESCould the right hon. Gentleman, while not interfering, give the requisite advice to the coroner in this area not to continue this obvious injustice?