HC Deb 22 May 2000 vol 350 cc392-4W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department for what reasons the coroner has not opened an inquest into the death of Sam Marshall in 1990. [121864]

Mr. Lock

The holding and listing of inquests is a matter for judicial discretion of the coroner for the district in which a person has died. I understand that the coroner was in correspondence with the deceased's relatives' solicitor, Mrs. Rosemary Nelson, in relation to an inquest into Mr. Marshall's death. Mrs. Nelson was tragically killed on 15 March 1999. The coroner has only recently been contacted by the solicitor now representing the deceased's family and would intend to liaise with her in relation to the holding of an inquest.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) how many politically motivated or violent deaths have been the subject of a coroner's inquiry in each of the past 15 years; what was the verdict in each such case; and how much time elapsed between death and completion of the coroner's inquiry in each case; [121865]

(2) in how many cases of (a) politically motivated and (b) violent death a coroner's inquiry had not opened a year after that death in the last 10 years; [121866]

(3) if he will set out, for the last 10 years, the number of (a) politically motivated and (b) violent deaths subject to a coroner's inquiry and the time taken to complete each stage of the inquiry process prior to a final verdict in respect of such deaths. [121867]

Mr. Lock

General statistics are available in relation to deaths in Northern Ireland. I am informed by the General Register Office for Northern Ireland that figures in relation to deaths registered in the last 15 years where the cause of death has been due to injury or poisoning (coded E800-E999) and homicide and injury inflicted by other persons (coded E960-E969) are available. These figures are detailed in the table. However, the specific information requested by my hon. Friend in relation to politically motivated deaths is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Year E800–E999 E960–E969
1998 569 36
1997 593 24
1996 598 40
1995 663 113
1994 688 100
1993 639 90
1992 581 75
1991 719 76
1990 699 69
1989 693 104
1988 834 108
1987 762 90
1986 730 54
1985 746 58

Year E800–E999 E960–E969
1984 739 82