HC Deb 10 March 2003 vol 401 cc28-9W
Mrs. Iris Robinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the Royal Victoria Hospital is retaining body parts from recent autopsies. [101940]

Mr. Browne

The Royal Victoria Hospital has only retained body parts from recent post mortem examinations with the valid consent in writing of the next of kin or closest living relative.

Mrs. Iris Robinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many post mortems had been performed at the Royal Victoria Hospital between the setting up of the numbered post mortem system and 31December 2002, broken down by(a) coroners and (b) hospital post mortems. [101936]

Mr. Browne

There was a total of 49,956 post mortems carried out in the period between the commencement of the current post mortem numbering system and 31 December 2002. It is not possible to provide further information in the form requested, as it is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

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