Mr. Alan WilliamsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many murder cases in the last two years there has been a delay of(a) more than 10 weeks, (b) less than 10 weeks, (c) less than eight weeks and (d) less than four weeks after death before defence solicitors agreed to the release of the victim's body to the family.
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§ Mr. Charles WardleI regret that this information is not available. Coroners, with the encouragment of the Home Office, do all they can to keep to the minimum the delay in releasing bodies. I deeply sympathise with the families of victims to whom distress is caused by any delays.