§ Mr. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners who died in prisons in England and Wales during each of the past five years died from terminal illnesses; and, in respect of these, when he was notified that the prisoner was suffering from a terminal illness.
§ Mr. MellorIn 1985 there were 20 deaths from natural causes (not including 15 in which the coroner's verdict is awaited). In the preceding four years the figures were:
Year Number 1981 35 1982 28 1983 33 1984 31 Our statistical records do not enable us to identify all cases in which the medical officer formed the opinion, in advance of death occurring, that the patient's illness was likely to terminate fatally. As I indicated in my reply to a question by the hon. Member on 12 March 1986, at column 467 a report on such a case is required only in certain circumstances.