§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the terms of reference and timetable of his review of coroners. [111524]
§ Mr. BoatengAs my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health announced on 1 February 2000,Official Report, columns 907–919, one of the actions being taken in the light of the Shipman trial is an urgent review of death certification procedures and the checks undertaken before cremation and burial. The work of this review is to be made available to the Inquiry chaired by Lord Laming of Tewin which is due to report in the autumn.
The death certification review will also consider whether there should be a role for coroners in monitoring the proper procedures after death. Coroner arrangements may consequently need to be considered more widely in due course.