§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether the Government plans to restrict coroners' post mortem retentions only to material that is required for evidentiary purposes of a legal nature. [132339]
§ Mr. LammyThe post-mortem examination in Northern Ireland is a key stage in the investigation of deaths referred to a coroner, as the findings identify the medical cause of death and often determine whether or not any further action on the part of the coroner is required. There are two main purposes for which it is necessary to retain organs or tissue samples, i.e. to enable the pathologist accurately to determine the cause of death or for evidential purposes in suspected criminal cases. It will therefore continue to be necessary to retain organs or tissue samples for both these reasons.