§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, and to what extent, statistics on death through cancer are distorted by the demands of some relatives for a cause other than cancer to be registered on a death certificate.
§ Mr. John PattenA registered medical practitioner who has attended the deceased during his last illness is required by law to sign a certificate stating to the best of his knowledge and belief the cause of death. The Registrar General has no evidence to suggest that the statistics on cancer derived from these certificates are distorted in the way that the hon. Member suggests.