Clause 35
Coroners and Justice Bill
9:00 pm
Henry Bellingham (Shadow Minister, Justice; North West Norfolk, Conservative)
With respect, the right hon. Gentleman overestimates how onerous the duties of the Coroner of the Queen’s Household are. Mr. Burgess, who is currently the Coroner of the Queen’s Household and the Surrey coroner, probably spends 1 per cent. of his time dealing with the former office. It is much more a ceremonial post, and if the Government are keen to move it away from the senior coroners, I am suggesting that they keep the great ceremonial office in place. I know that the right hon. Gentleman is keen on getting rid of a lot of things, but I am more of a traditionalist.