asked the Minister for Justice if, in view of the considerable public disquiet due to variations in the decisions of coroners where they have discretion on the need for inquests following cot deaths, he will take action to review the whole situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Cot Deaths.
60.
I am not aware that there is considerable public disquiet in the matter. The Coroners Act, 1962, provides that, in cases when death may have occurred suddenly and from unknown causes, a coroner may cause a post mortem examination of the body to be held and, if, in his opinion, the report of the examination shows that an inquest in relation to the death is unnecessary it shall not be obligatory on him to hold an inquest.
My understanding is that in most cases of `cot deaths' coroners exercise their discretion not to hold an inquest and that appears to me to be reasonable. There may be, of course, circumstances where a coroner may consider an inquest to be desirable. Naturally, I have no power to direct a coroner not to hold an inquest in any particular case.