The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Mrs Helen Grant)
The Minister for the Armed Forces, my right hon. Friend the Member for South Leicestershire (Mr Robathan) and I wish to make the following statement to the House regarding investigations into service personnel who have died overseas:
On 24 September 2012 the Government will commence powers under sections 12 and 50 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 to enable for the first time deaths of service personnel killed abroad to be investigated in Scotland under the Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths Inquiry (Scotland) Act 1976 where appropriate.
His Honour Judge Peter Thornton QC, who has today assumed the role of chief coroner of England and Wales will be able to recommend that investigations be transferred from England and Wales in appropriate circumstances, for example where the deceased’s family is based in Scotland.
The provisions aim to reduce the additional distress that can be caused by ensuring that bereaved service families from Scotland do not have to travel long distances to England or Wales to attend an inquest.