HC Deb 12 April 1976 vol 909 cc380-1W
Mr. Mikardo

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that at a recent inquest into the death of a man who died after being apprehended in a struggle with police officers and others the coroner sat without a jury; and whether he considers this procedure to be satisfactory.

The Attorney-General

The circumstances in which a coroner has a discretion to sit without a jury are regulated by statute and amendment of the law is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary. If there is an irregularity in proceedings before a coroner, it is open to any aggrieved person to seek my authority for an application to the High Court to quash the inquisition.