§ 9. Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will seek to make arrangements with countries in Western Europe whereby the civil authorities in those countries will be responsible for informing the next of kin of British subjects who are confined to hospital as a result of serious injury.
§ Mr. George ThomsonArrangements already exist in all countries in Western Europe for the prompt notification of such accidents either to the nearest British Consul or to a relative. Our consular officers pass this information on by the quickest and most reliable means.
In France, which I believe is the country which the hon. Member has chiefly in mind, the police and gendarmerie are under standing instructions to make such notification. The Government cannot, of course, guarantee that there will be no mistakes or delays on the part of foreign authorities.
§ Mr. CordleWhile thanking the hon. Gentleman for his full reply, may I ask whether he can go further and tell us who is really responsible for informing relatives and friends of British subjects? Is it the gendarmerie, the police or the hospital authorities? I ask this particularly in the light of the sad incident concerning Miss Katrina Cheeseman, and other more recent accidents. Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that considerable concern still exists amongst those who travel on the Continent, especially the holidaymaker?
§ Mr. ThomsonI am very conscious of the sad incidents to which the hon. Gentleman referred. I have made inquiries, and in France it is still only the responsibility of the police to make the necessary reports.