§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) pursuant to his reply of 14 May, Official Report, c. 332, to the hon. Member for Basildon whether he proposes to introduce legislation to require that all deaths of patients detained in secure hospitals under the Mental Health Act 1959 should be reported to the coroner and that inquests should be held with a jury on all such deaths; and if he will make a statement;
(2) pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Basildon of 14 May, Official Report, c. 332, when he proposes to introduce legislation concerning the principle that all deaths in custody should be reported to the coroner, that inquests should be held with a jury on all such deaths, and that coroners' juries should be selected by the process used for juries in other courts; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RaisonMy right hon. Friend intends to bring forward proposals to give effect to these changes when a suitable opportunity for legislation occurs, but we are not yet in a position to say when this will be. These proposals would include a requirement that the deaths of all persons in legal custody should be reported to the coroner whatever the place of detention. Meanwhile, the desirability of such deaths being reported, and of inquests with a jury being held on them has already been drawn to the attention of coroners and the police.