§ 43. Mr. R. C. Morrisonasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the inquest on the fire and explosion which took place in Knightrider Street, E.G., on 4th August, has been spread over six months, and occupied 26 days; that the legal costs, which will ultimately be borne by the ratepayers, are already enormous; and will he represent to the City coroner 1521 that, in the interests of economy, the proceedings should be brought to a conclusion at a reasonably early date?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe question what inquiries are necessary to enable the coroner to discharge his statutory responsibility is one entirely for him. I have no jurisdiction in the matter, but I am informed by the coroner that he does not expect that the concluding stages of this inquest will occupy more than a few days.
§ Mr. MorrisonSurely the right hon. Gentleman can make representations to the coroner about a matter which is rapidly becoming a public scandal? Thousands and thousands of pounds are being unnecessarily spent in deciding an issue which afterwards will have to be fought in the law courts, and, in any case, whatever the result, the ratepayers will have to pay.
§ Sir J. AndersonThe House will realise that the coroner is in no way under my jurisdiction. I have been in communication with him, the result of which I have given in my reply.