HC Deb 28 October 2002 vol 391 cc623-4W
Mr. Heath

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what penalties are incurred by erroneous completion of(a) death certificates and (b) cremation forms. [73417]

Hilary Benn

Under the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953, the doctor who attended the deceased during his or her last illness is required to state the cause of death to the best of his or her knowledge or belief. The certifying doctor may not be able to be certain in all cases that the cause of death given is beyond question, and such deaths should be reported to the coroner. It would be an offence to refuse to issue a death certificate or to falsify a certificate. On conviction, such a person would be liable to a fine of up to £200.

Contravention of regulations under the Cremation Act 1902 is an offence. On conviction, a fine of up to £1,000 may be imposed. Anyone convicted of wilfully making false representations, or falsifying a certificate, with a view to securing a cremation is liable to imprisonment of up to two years.

Death certification procedures are being considered by the Review of Coroners Services and by the Shipman Inquiry which will be reporting next year.