Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to improve information sharing and family liaison support for bereaved families awaiting international letters of request.

When a British national dies overseas, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) can provide practical and compassionate consular support to bereaved families. We tailor that support to the circumstances of the case and the needs of the family. Our role is to help families understand local procedures, provide information and guidance, liaise with relevant authorities where appropriate, and signpost to further sources of support. The processing of International Letters of Request is a matter for the Home Office.