27 March 2008
Justice Minister Bridget Prentice has made a written ministerial statement on changes to government plans to reform the coroner system.
The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice (Bridget Prentice):
The government's plans to reform the coroner system were set out in the draft Coroners Bill, which was published in June 2006. Extensive consultation since then has helped to refine several policy areas. Today I am publishing a briefing note that explains the policy changes, and compares the revised policy with that set out in the draft Bill.
Some of the changes have been announced already, such as the addition of provisions to strengthen the public protection role of coroners, and a return to the current position on the reporting of inquests. Other changes, such as the scope of the appeals system and inspection arrangements for the coroners' service, will be announced for the first time in the briefing note.
The briefing note refers to the removal from the Bill of a provision on restricting the reporting of some inquests. Instead, I have been working with the Press Complaints Commission to produce a short discussion paper on how its Press Code can be improved to protect bereaved families. The discussion paper also considers how the Code, and the role of the Commission, can be better brought to the attention of families. This paper is also being published today.
Copies of the briefing note, 'Coroners Bill - Changes made resulting from consultation', and of the discussion paper on press reporting of inquests have been placed in the libraries of both Houses, the Vote Office and the Printed Paper Office.