To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers a coroner has to ensure he sees all papers and documents relating to a death before him, and that all such papers and documents are placed before the relevant inquest. [31479]

A coroner has no power to order the production of papers and documents which might be likely to afford assistance in his inquiry, but he can, where he considers it necessary to do so, compel such production by means of a Crown Office subpoena. The decision as to which papers and documents should be put in evidence at an inquest is a matter for the coroner.