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Coroner Reform

On 6 February, I announced my intention to publish a draft Bill to reform the coroner system in England and Wales, 6 February 2006, Official Report, column 608. The draft Bill will be laid and published today, and will also be available on the Departmental website www.dca.gov.uk/legist.htm. The draft Bill will be subject to pre-legislative scrutiny by the Constitutional Affairs Select Committee, and I am arranging for a separate strand of pre-legislative scrutiny to take place which will be by families who have recent experience of the coroners' service, which will assist hon. Members in their scrutiny of the Bill.