§ Mr. BaronTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action is being taken on(a) recording and (b) classifying sudden and unexpected death, where no cause of death can be detected at autopsy but where an underlying cardiac condition resulting in fatal cardiac arrhythmia is suspected. [159827]
§ Ruth KellyThe information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
Letter from Len Cook to Mr. John Baron, dated 9 March 2004:
As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning the action being taken on (a) recording and (b) classifying sudden and unexpected death, where no cause of death can be detected at autopsy but where an underlying cardiac condition resulting in fatal cardiac arrhythmia is suspected. (159827)
All deaths in England and Wales that are sudden and unexpected must be referred to the coroner for investigation. It is the responsibility of the coroner to undertake any necessary investigations to ascertain the cause of death and to record the findings.
When the death is registered, the Office for National Statistics codes the cause according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. Currently the tenth revision of this classification is in use. If no precise cause is identified, but the certificate states that the death was sudden, it would be classified to R96, 'sudden death, cause unknown'. If a cardiac defect was identified on the certificate, the death would be classified under cardiovascular diseases, using the most precise and accurate code available for the identified condition.
Following publication in 2003 of the Third Report of the Shipman Inquiry and the Fundamental Review of Death Certification and the Coroner Service, the Government is committed to taking forward proposals for reform of the coroner and death certification service.
§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his latest estimate is of the amount of overpayments of(a) child tax credit and (b) working tax credit made owing to official error; and if he will make a statement. [158769]