HC Deb 30 January 1990 vol 166 cc114-5W
Mr. Denis Howell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his Department will take steps to remind doctors and members of the public of their lawful duty to report cases to the appropriate coroner for his investigation when they have reason to believe that the death of any person has been aggravated or accelerated by reason of delayed response from the ambulance service or the attendance of an ambulance not carrying adequate equipment for the resuscitation or emergency treatment of patients.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

There is an obligation at common law to report to the coroner any violent or unnatural death or sudden death, the cause of which is unknown. There is at present no difference between the legal duty of doctors and that of other members of the public. Since we have no evidence that the obligation is being neglected, we see no need for special steps to be taken to remind members of the public about it.

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