HC Deb 12 July 2001 vol 371 cc614-5W
Mr. Alan Duncan

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines and procedures govern the ability to hold an inquest in respect of(a) military aircraft accidents and (b) civil aircraft accidents (i) in advance of and (ii) following an air accident inquiry report. [3176]

Beverley Hughes

It is a matter for the coroner to decide on the conduct of his or her investigations and to proceed to an inquest. Where a death arises from a civil aircraft accident, the coroner will generally seek to ensure that inquiries are informed by any relevant reports or written statements from other agencies, including the Air Accidents Investigation Branch and, in relation to military aircraft, any reports produced by a Ministry of Defence Board of Inquiry.