The purpose of the new clause is to give registrars general in England, Wales and Northern Ireland the statutory authority to share death registration information with the police, special police forces, the Serious Organised Crime Agency and other organisations specified by order, for use in the prevention, detection, investigation or prosecution of offences.

The primary purpose of the supply of such information is to allow the police and other organisations to identify attempts to perpetrate fraud by using the personal details of those who have recently died. The new clause will help us not only to combat such fraud but to mitigate the impact on recently bereaved relatives, who have to deal with the consequences of the identity of their loved ones being stolen.