§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will amend Section 1A of the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 regarding bereavement damages to take into account the death of an only son; and if he will make a statement. [78764]
§ Mr. HoonI have been asked to reply.
Section 1A of the Fatal Accidents Act 1996 provides for bereavement damages to be claimed by the parents of unmarried children who are under the age of 18. This applies to both parents where the child was legitimate, and to the mother only in the case of an illegitimate child. This is an area which we keep regularly under review. The Law Commission considered bereavement damages in its consultation paper "Claims for Wrongful Death" (Consultation Paper No. 148) and hopes to produce its report later this year. The Government will consider the Law Commission's recommendations carefully when they are received.