Written question asked by Patsy Calton (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 12 June 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 25 June 2003. It was answered by Paul Goggins (Labour) on Wednesday, 25 June 2003 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will broaden the remit of inquests so that coroners can take into account the influence of prescribed drugs in suicide.

Answer: Mrs. Calton: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will broaden the remit of inquests so that coroners can take into account the influence of prescribed drugs in suicide. [119776] Paul Goggins: I have been asked to reply. The Courts have confirmed that, under the current law, the purpose of an inquest is to ascertain how the deceased came by a violent or unnatural death. It is a matter for the coroner to decide on the scope of the investigation but in most cases coroners will take evidence of what drugs were prescribed and commission tests for the presence of drugs which may have been a factor in a death apparently due to self harm.

Secondary information