asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in order to reduce the difficulties caused to bereaved families in border areas, he will bring forward proposals to abolish or simplify the procedure under which a coroner's warrant must be obtained before a body can be removed from England to Scotland.

The procedure for removing bodies from the jurisdiction of English law is the same wherever the body is going. It could not be altered without legislation, and this would primarily be a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services. If the hon. Member will let me know of any special difficulties that have been encountered in particular cases my right hon. Friend and I will consider them.