HL Deb 10 February 2005 vol 669 cc133-4WA
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the established working hours per week of the six part-time coroners in Northern Ireland; how many weeks per year they are on duty; and what are their call-out responsibilities. [HL1148]

Baroness Ashton of Upholland

The Coroners (Practice and Procedure) Rules (Northern Ireland) 1963 require that, "A Coroner shall at all times hold himself ready to undertake, either by himself or his deputy, any duties in connection with deaths reported to him, inquests and post-mortem examinations". A deputy coroner is appointed to each coroners' district to assist the coroner.

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the remuneration, pension entitlement and permanent secretarial support for the six part-time coroners in Northern Ireland; and what are the comparable figures for the full-time coroner for Greater Belfast. [HL1149]

Baroness Ashton of Upholland

Part-time coroners in Northern Ireland are remunerated similarly to part-time coroners in England and Wales, on a formula based on caseload and agreed by the Joint Negotiating Committee for Coroners. The average remuneration package for the part-time coroners in Northern Ireland is £22,964.

The coroner for Greater Belfast is appointed on a full-time basis and receives a salary of £90,760 and pension benefits corresponding to those of statutory officers.

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have costed the proposals for reform of the coroners' system in Northern Ireland; and whether they will provide a detailed analysis, including termination payments, for the six part-time coroners currently in post. [HL1150]

Baroness Ashton of Upholland

Reform of the coroners service in Northern Ireland is ongoing and for the greater part resource neutral. Termination payments for part-time coroners are currently the subject of negotiations between the Northern Ireland Coroners Association and the Northern Ireland Court Service.

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the six part-time coroners in Northern Ireland have a right to pursue their current complaint on the grounds of unlawful discrimination through the courts process. [HL1151]

Baroness Ashton of Upholland

The part-time coroners have a right to seek independent legal advice. It would not be appropriate to comment on any legal proceedings which any of the part-time coroners may wish to pursue.

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, as appointed judicial officers, the six part-time coroners in Northern Ireland fall within the definition of employees in order to be able to pursue their current complaint on the grounds of unlawful discrimination through an industrial tribunal. [HL 1152]

Baroness Ashton of Upholland

The part-time coroners have a right to independent legal advice and a right of access to the courts; accordingly, it would not be appropriate to comment on any proceedings which any of the part-time coroners may wish to pursue through an industrial tribunal or to anticipate any judicial decision in this matter.