§ Mr. Budgenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made by the working Party on the Coroners Rules which has been considering implementation under existing legislation of procedural reforms recommended by the Committee on Death Certification and Coroners (the Brodrick committee).
§ Mr. WhitelawThe Working Party on the Coroners Rules was set up by my predecessor on 29 July 1976—[Vol. 916, c. 341–2]—with the concurrence of the Lord Chancellor and the Law Officers. It submitted its first report in November 1977 and was subsequently invited—[Vol. 939, c.374]—to consider what changes in the Coroners Rules 1953—as amended—would be necessary to implement the procedural reforms recommended by the Brodrick committee which could be achieved under existing 219W legislation, and to make recommendations. The working party has submitted a report on the completion of its consideration of these matters and has made recommendations for changes in the Coroners Rules which have been accepted. These changes will apply to any inquest or post mortem examination started on or after 1 June. I am arranging for the working party's report to be made publicly available.