Oral Answers to Questions — Death Certification.

– in the House of Commons at on 11 July 1928.

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Photo of Mr Thomas Naylor Mr Thomas Naylor , Southwark South East

58.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the remarks of Dr. F. J. Waldo, Senior Coroner for London, concerning the importance of not permitting burial or cremation until the certifying doctor had seen and examined the body, and the need for making this compulsory by law; and whether he will consider the advisability of introducing a Bill to strengthen the law in this respect?

Photo of Sir Kingsley Wood Sir Kingsley Wood , Woolwich West

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend has seen a report of the observations referred to. They appear, however, to pay no regard to the practical considerations involved, and to ignore the fact that, with respect to cremation, the safeguards recommended, and others even more stringent, have long been compulsory. The whole subject was fully discussed during the passage through this House of the Births and Deaths Registration Act of 1926; and my right hon. Friend is not prepared in the present circumstances to introduce further legislation.