§ 9. Mr. Allasonasked the Secretary of State for War in which countries where troops are serving there are no arrangements for a coroner's inquest on the accidental death of a soldier; and what alternative arrangements exist in these countries.
§ Mr. GodberA coroner's inquest is a civil institution which can be held on the deaths of soldiers only in territories where it is also held on those of civilians. It is an English institution and exists outside England only where the English legal system has been adopted. Army boards of inquiry are normally held on all unnatural deaths of soldiers overseas irrespective of any civil inquiry.
§ Mr. AllasonWould my right hon. Friend agree that an Army court of inquiry under the court of inquiry rules is totally unsatisfactory from the point of view of the relatives of the deceased who want to have some simple procedure like that of a coroner's inquest? Would he, therefore, look very carefully into the question of setting up some new form of inquiry which would produce exactly the same results as a coroner's inquest, since a coroner's inquest does provide the next of kin with some satisfaction as to the cause of death which they do not get out of an Army court of inquiry?
§ Mr. GodberYes, I recognise that this is a difficult matter. I think my hon. Friend does know something about the background of this particular case. I think, however, that it is difficult for us to agree to anything of the kind he has suggested, but I am willing to discuss with him any way in which it may be possible to satisfy the next of kin in cases of this sort.