§ 22. Dr. Winstanleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to receive the report of his Department's committee on death certification.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesI would refer the hon. Member to the Answer which my hon. Friend gave to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) on 4th December.—[Vol. 792, c. 348–9.]
§ Dr. WinstanleyAs the Answer to that Question was "Next year", may I remind the hon. Gentleman that when I asked the same question last year, in 1967, and in 1966, I received the same answer, namely, "Next year"? May we now know whether this will be next year? Does he agree that the whole matter has become more urgent with the advent of heart transplants and other matters?
§ Mr. ReesIt shows a remarkable consistency in answers. It is still "Next year". We are very well aware of this.
§ Mr. FortescueDoes the hon. Gentleman recall that I wrote to him about a month ago about Mrs. Kim Nevitt who was pronounced dead on a Liverpool beach by a surgeon, and was then brought to life again in a Liverpool mortuary? Can the hon. Gentleman assure me that it will not be next year before I receive a reply to my letter, and that I shall not have to wait for the report of this Committee?
§ Mr. ReesIt is now 18th December. It may be 1970 before a reply is given, but I apologise if there is any delay. I shall look very carefully at the matter.