§ 3. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to a case which occurred in October, in which a woman's body was cremated at Pontypridd in place of a man's; and what steps are being taken to prevent a recurrence of such an incident.
§ Mr. CrookshankI am aware of this tragic mistake, and greatly regret the distress it has caused. Instructions have been given for an additional check to be made, which should prevent any similar occurrence in the future.
§ Mr. FreemanAlthough I think that the conditions under which a person is cremated are more stringent than those under which a person is buried, would the right hon. Gentleman consider arranging for an investigation at the crematoriums immediately before the final operation, in order to prevent an occurrence of this kind?
§ Mr. CrookshankI do not think that that is necessary. We have now arranged that there should be a double check, instead of a single check as previously, and I do not think that this could possibly recur.