Clause 1
10:30 am
Frank Cook (Stockton North, Labour)
With this it will be convenient to take the following: new clause 9—Deaths occurring abroad—
‘(1) The following provisions shall have effect in connection with the investigation of deaths of British subjects occurring abroad.
(2) When the body is returned to a coroner’s area, the senior coroner must conduct an investigation, when one is appropriate, under the Coroners Act.
(3) When there is no body, or when the body has been buried or cremated outside England or Wales, the relatives of the deceased may, within six months of the death (or the presumed date of the death), apply to the Chief Coroner for an investigation to be held.
(4) It shall be the duty of the UK consular authorities for the country where the death occurred to draw the attention of anyone reporting the death to them to the arrangements for investigation, and to liaise with local public agencies to ensure that all material facts connected with the death are ascertained and communicated.’.
New clause 19—Investigations into deaths: special circumstances—
‘Where there are specific circumstances which make it unlikely that a senior coroner will be able to conduct an investigation or a series of investigations quickly and effectively, bearing in mind the concerns of the victim’s family or the wider community, the Chief Coroner shall draw the circumstances to the attention of the Lord Chancellor who shall make appropriate arrangements to meet the specific circumstances.’.