§ 26. Mr. Christopher Priceasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to introduce legislation to make it possible for judges to preside over coroners' courts.
§ Mr. RaisonHigh Court judges already have the powers of coroners, but fundamental changes in the procedure of coroners' courts would be needed to enable judges to act as coroners. In particular, legislation would be needed to enable a judge to take over from a coroner who had already opened an inquest, which he usually does within a very short time of the death. We are not satisfied that such charges would be justified.