HC Deb 04 February 1997 vol 289 cc551-2W
Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received in the past three years from(a) the Bradford Council for Mosques and (b) other Muslim organisations in respect of the expedited release of dead bodies over weekends and public holidays by coroners serving large Muslim communities. [14104]

Mr. Sackville

We have no record of representations on this matter form the Bradford Council for Mosques. Representations have, however, been received from the Aylesbury Mosque Committee, the Burial Council of Leicestershire Muslims and from Kashmir Centres Europe.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has initiated with the representative local government organisations to make funding available to coroners, serving large Muslim communities, for the issue, over weekends and public holidays, of the necessary documentation to permit the transport of bodies overseas. [14105]

Mr. Sackville

None. Funding of the coroners' service is entirely a matter for the relevant council.