asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Statement by the Minister of State for the Department for Constitutional Affairs, Ms Harriet Harman, on 29 March (Official Report, 121–30WS), how many inquests into the deaths of members of the Armed Forces which occurred after 15 May 2006 remain outstanding; and what additional resources, if any, have been provided to assist coroners to deal with these inquests. [HL4186]
I would refer the noble Lord to the further Written Statement published today, which includes the information requested as regards inquests into deaths of members of the Armed Forces on operations and exercises overseas.
asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Answer by the Minister of State for the Armed Forces, Adam Ingram, on 14 May (Official Report, col. 381), when they expect outstanding inquests into the deaths of members of the Armed Forces in operations prior to 1 January 2006 to be completed. [HL4187]
Four inquests into military deaths before 1 January 2006 are outstanding in the Oxfordshire coroner's jurisdiction. The latest of these inquests is expected to begin on 29 October 2007.
In addition, the High Court has ordered a fresh inquest into the death of Private Jason Smith. The location and date for the new inquest are yet to be established. A pre-inquest review concerning 10 deaths in a Hercules crash in January 2005 is expected to be held in July 2007 in the Swindon and Wiltshire jurisdiction. It is expected that, following this, the coroner will set the date and timeframe for the inquests.
asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many inquests into the deaths of members of the Armed Forces have been transferred to the next of kin's local coroner to date. [HL4188]
Between late December 2006 and 31 March 2007, 16 inquests of members of the Armed Forces on operations overseas whose bodies were repatriated via RAF Brize Norton were transferred by the Oxfordshire coroner to the next of kin's local coroner. On 1 April 2007, RAF Lyneham in the Swindon and Wiltshire coroner's jurisdiction became the location for military repatriations. Between 1 April 2007 and 11 June 2007, 11 inquests had been transferred or proposed for transfer by the Swindon and Wiltshire coroner to the next of kin's coroner.