HC Deb 03 July 1947 vol 439 cc1480-1
10. Mr. Sparks

asked the Minister of Health what precautions are taken to secure that the cause of death certified upon a death certificate is correct; and, in view of the evidence at the recent coroner's trial at Southport, what steps he proposes to take to ensure that death shall not be certified from wrong or false causes.

11. Wing-Commander Hulbert

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the law now permits medical practitioners to issue death certificates in respect of near relatives; and if he proposes to introduce legislation to amend this practice.

Mr. Bevan

The position under the Births and Deaths Registration Acts and Regulations is that a registered medical practitioner, who is otherwise competent in the circumstances of the particular case to give a certificate of the cause of death, is not precluded from doing so by reason of relationship to the deceased, and it is not open to the registrar of births and deaths to reject a certificate on that ground. The duties of the registrar include the duty to report to the coroner before registration deaths in certain specified categories including any which he has reason to believe to be unnatural, or accidental, or attended by suspicious circumstances, or the cause of which appears to be unknown. I do not at present contemplate amending legislation on any of these matters.

Mr. Sparks

Is the Minister aware that the person concerned in the case at South-port, was poisoned by morphine, and that two doctors apparently certified that death was caused by a totally different complaint? In view of all the evidence, a grave suspicion is created that this was not an isolated case, and will my right hon. Friend look into the matter with a view to tightening up the regulations for certifying death?

Mr. Bevan

I have no comment to make on the circumstances of that case, and I think that in the circumstances it would be improper to do so. In any case, I would not derive a general conclusion from this particular instance.

Wing-Commander Hulbert

Even if the law permits the state of affairs to which I have referred in my Question, does not the right hon. Gentleman think it is very undesirable?

Mr. Bevan

It is not for a Minister to rebuke the House of Commons for the laws which it has passed.

Mr. Hector Hughes

Will my right hon. Friend consider introducing a provision whereby death certificates shall be countersigned by an independent medical practitioner?

Mr. Bevan

I do not contemplate any amendment of the law at present.

Mr. Janner

While appreciating that this is an exceptional case, and that, as a rule, doctors give certificates with the best intentions, may I ask if my right hon. Friend will consider assisting the medical profession by asking coroners' officers, or intimating to them, that they should make as extensive inquiries as they can in such cases?

Mr. Bevan

I can impose no duty except by legislation.