Written question asked by Mark Pritchard (Conservative) on Monday, 16 April 2012, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 18 April 2012. It was answered by Jeremy Browne (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 23 April 2012 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

British Nationals Abroad: Death

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidance his Department issues to diplomatic staff on the processes to be followed after the death of a UK citizen abroad.

Answer: Following the death of a British national abroad, the role of consular staff is to provide information and practical support to the next of kin. The support we provide is set out in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) publications ““Support for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide””, which can be found at:"www.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/2855621/support-for-british-nationals-abroad.pdf"and ““Guide for Bereaved Families””, which can be found at:"www.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/2855621/bereaved-families-pdf"Internal guidance is provided for consular staff on the processes to be followed after the death of a British national, aimed at ensuring that consular staff meet the standards of support set out in these publications. This guidance is regularly reviewed and a further review will be conducted as announced by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the right hon. Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), in his written ministerial statement of 17 April 2012, Official Report, columns 17-18WS.

Secondary information