Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the availability and provision of non-invasive post-mortems.

The Ministry of Justice has responsibility for coroner law and policy only. Individual local authorities have operational responsibility for coroner services and therefore the provision of facilities for less invasive post mortem examinations is a matter for them. I am, however, aware of the requirements of faith communities to preserve a body after death and the Chief Coroner has issued guidance to coroners on the use of less invasive post mortem examination techniques. I am working with the Chief Coroner to make sure that bereaved people are at the very heart of the coroner system and that services are there to help the whole community. My department’s review of the implementation of the July 2013 coroner reforms will specifically cover post mortem examinations.