§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is prepared to implement the recommendations of the Brodrick committee (1971) on death certification and coroners; if he will take steps to remove the requirement for second signatures on death certificates; and if he will make a statement on the present charges for second signatures.
§ Mr. MellorA number of these recommendations have already been implemented. Those which relate to confirmation certificates for cremation purposes (to which the question refers) have been the subject of continuing discussions between the Home Office, the medical profession and other interested parties but no agreement has yet been reached. We intend to pursue the matter further.