§ Mr. Edward Lyonsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to introduce legislation to implement the proposals of the Brodrick Committee on Coroners.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe Criminal Law Bill includes provisions to implement the recommendations of the Brodrick Committee on Death Certification and Coroners relating to the abolition of the coroner's power to commit for trial, and of the need to sit with a jury in certain cases.
In pursuance of a decision announced on 29th July last year, a working party has been set up to consider what amendments to the Coroners' Rules will be 513W necessary in the first place in consequence of the legislative provisions mentioned above and subsequently to implement those procedural reforms indicated in the committee's report that can be achieved by subordinate legislation; the working party is now engaged on the first part of its task.
The introduction of substantive legislation on the remaining recommendations that have been accepted by the Government will be considered in due course in the light of discussions with the various bodies concerned based on a consultative document setting out detailed proposals which is in an advanced stage of preparation.