§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the deep concern felt by the mother of Colin Barnard at the fact that he was cremated without her being notified by the police in Stoke Newington, whether, as a general rule before such cremations, he will ensure that all persons who have reported relatives as missing should be notified, and details published in the local press, so that such people may make an examination of the deceased persons.
§ Mr. MayhewWe understand from the Commissioner that he very much regrets the distress caused in this case. The present system for matching unidentified persons found with those reported missing and recorded by the police central agency, the Metropolitan police missing persons bureau, generally works well and avoids both unnecessary occasions of distress for the next of kin and the need for widespread circulation either within or outside the police. A review of the procedures of the missing persons bureau is already in hand, in which this case will be examined closely, to established whether any changes are required.