§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the distress and hardship caused to relatives when persons drowned at sea whose bodies have not been recovered cannot be presumed dead, he will review the procedures for the presumption of death; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HurdThis is not a matter for the Home Secretary. My powers are limited to directing the holding of an inquest in the absence of a body if the death is believed to have occurred in or near a coroner's jurisdiction, which extends only to the low water mark, and if I am so requested by the coroner and consider it desirable.
§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will authorise an inquest into the presumed death at sea of Mr. Ronald T. Smith of Southend, details of which have been sent to him.