To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average cost of investigating the death by non-natural causes of a prisoner held in police custody was in the latest period for which figures are available. (224739)

This information is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are taken to investigate the death from non-natural causes of a prisoner held in police custody. (224746)

Under the Police Reform Act 2002, deaths in custody constitute a mandatory referral to the IPCC. The IPCC assesses each referral in line with its obligations, including under article 2 of the Human Rights Act, considers the circumstances of the case referred and decides the appropriate mode of investigation.

An IPCC Commissioner has oversight of the investigation and agrees its recommendation.