asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there is any retiring age for coroners; and, if not, how many coroners there are over the age of 75?

Mr. DAVIES:

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I have no information as to the age of coroners now holding office.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, in connection with one of the recent murders, the proceedings were reported on by a coroner over 90 years of age, and does he consider that that is a proper state of affairs?

Mr. DAVIES:

That information was not available to me. The Home Office has no jurisdiction on the question of the age of the coroner.