§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was shown as the cause of death on the certificate of exemption issued in the case of Mr. Robin Walsh;
(2) what was the name and address shown under the next of kin on the certificate of exemption issued in the case of Mr. Robin Walsh;
(3) whether he will place in the Library a copy of the certificate of exemption in the name of Mr. Robin Walsh.
§ Mr. MellorI have assumed that by "the certificate of exemption" the hon. Member means the Secretary of State's order issued under Regulation 12A(2) of the Cremation Regulations 1930, as amended, which permits a medical referee to authorise cremation in the absence of cremation forms B and C.
The order itself does not mention the cause of death. It is, however, only issued in cases of natural death. The application for the cremation order, which is retained by the Department, has a statement of the medical cause of death but this information is of a personal nature and it is not our policy to disclose it.
The order does not include the name and address of the next of kin. We have no information as to the next of kin the application for cremation was in this case signed by the executor. No copy is made of the Secretary of State's order; it is, however, in a standard form, a copy of which I have placed in the Library of the House.