§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many employees of Government communications headquarters have died in each of the last three years; in how many cases an inquest was held; what was found to be the cause of death and the verdict in each such case; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RentonDetails of the number of employees at the Government Communications Headquarters who have died between 1982 and 1985 are as follows: 1982—26; 1983—27; 1984—23; 1985 (first four months)—five. We are aware of inquests having been held in five cases. Details as follows:
- (i) 25 July 1982—Mr. J. Wolfenden. Verdict: accidental death; aeroplane crash,
- (ii) 24 November 1982—Mr. E. P. Brockway. Verdict: suicide; death by hanging
- (iii) 17 September 1983—Mr. S. D. Drinkwater. Verdict: death by misadventure; asphyxiation.
- (iv) 3 April 1984—Mr. G. Franks. Verdict: natural causes; heart attack.
- (v) 8 April 1985—Mr. S. Oke. Open Verdict: death by hanging.