Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will take steps to improve faith and cultural training for coroners to assist in the (a) timely dealing with deaths, (b) type of post mortem used and (c) process for the release of the body for burial for those from minority faith groups.
Answered by Caroline Dinenage
The Chief Coroner has responsibility under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 for the training of coroners and coroner’s officers and all coroners are now required to attend compulsory training provided by the Judicial College.
The Judicial College also produces an Equal Treatment Bench Book which provides advice and guidance to judicial office holders (including coroners) to enable them to deal confidently, sensitively and fairly with all those who appear before them and includes a section on religion and belief.
I am also continuing work to make sure bereaved people are at the very heart of the coroner system – it is paramount that the services are there to help the whole community. The review of coroner services that I have recently announced will be important in achieving this.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will undertake research into public confidence in the power of veto held by the Lord Chief Justice on the Lord Chancellor's power to remove circuit and district judges and the potential for conflict of interest to arise.
Answered by Shailesh Vara
The rules and regulations governing judicial discipline (including removal from office) were subject to formal review and public consultation in 2012. There are no plans to undertake further research.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will take steps to remove the power of veto held by the Lord Chief Justice on the Lord Chancellor's power to remove circuit and district judges.
Answered by Shailesh Vara
There are no plans to take such steps.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to repeal section 11(3) of The Supreme Court Act 1981 and introduce a new mechanism for the removal of a judge of the High Court or the Court of Appeal that does not require an Act of Parliament.
Answered by Shailesh Vara
There are no plans to introduce a new mechanism for the removal of a judge of the High Court or the Court of appeal or to repeal section 11(3) of the Senior Courts Act 1981 (formerly known as the Supreme Court Act 1981).