HL Deb 04 June 1980 vol 409 c1580WA
Lord AVEBURY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What views have been expressed to them by the Director of Public Prosecutions about the recommendations of the Brodrick Committee which reported in November 1971, and whether the Director has made any alternative suggestions.

Lord BELSTEAD

I take it that the noble Lord is referring particularly to the Brodrick Committee's recommendations relating to cremation certificates. The Director of Public Prosecutions has indicated, as did his predecessor, that he regards the retention of a confirmatory certificate given by a medical practitioner, of, say, five years' standing as an essential safeguard against the use of cremation for the concealment of crime. In the circumstances he has not considered it necessary to put forward alternative proposals.

Lord AVEBURY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in the interests of open Government, they will convene an open meeting to which the BMA, the DPP, representatives of the cremation services, police authorities and the Home Office would be invited, to discuss death certification and coroners 10 years after the Brodrick Report.

Lord BELSTEAD

No. We do not consider such a step to be necessary. The views of all concerned are well known.