Schedule 3
Coroners and Justice Bill
6:30 pm
Henry Bellingham (Shadow Minister, Justice; North West Norfolk, Conservative)
I may be able to help you, Mr. Gale. I am confident that with good will and a degree of conciseness, we will be able to finish part 1 by 7.20 pm. Hopefully, we will not have to come back after dinner. I will be brief, because most of the amendments stand in my name and the names of my hon. Friends.
The amendments relate to various matters to do with boundaries, appointments and issues such as retirement age. They are important to the coronial service. It is important to bear it in mind that the office of coroner is one of the oldest in the country; I understand that it dates back to 1420. [Interruption.] I am happy to be corrected by the Minister, or by my hon. Friend, if he can find an earlier or later date.