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Death Certification

My honourable friend the Minister of State, Department of Health (Ben Bradshaw), has made the following Written Ministerial Statement. The Government have today published a consultation paper setting out proposals for improving the process of death certification in England and Wales. The consultation paper sets out proposals to address the weaknesses in the current system for certifying death which were identified by the Shipman inquiry. We believe that these proposals represent a proportionate and affordable response that will provide greater protection for the public by identifying and deterring criminal activity or poor practice. The proposals will also improve the quality and accuracy of death certification and remove current inequalities in the way burials and cremations are dealt with. The consultation paper has been placed in the Library, and copies are available to honourable Members from the Vote Office.