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18/03/2009
Reforms To Bill Address Needs Of Scotland Based Service Families
Families of Scottish service personnel killed abroad will no longer have to travel to England to attend their loved one's inquests under proposed amendments to the coroners system, Justice Minister Bridget Prentice said today.
Currently, the bodies of Scotland based service personnel killed abroad are returned to England so that a coroner can investigate the circumstances surrounding the death. This is because there is currently no legislative basis under Scottish law for the Lord Advocate to investigate deaths outside of Scotland and requires the bereaved families to travel to England for inquests.
Bridget Prentice Justice Minister said: "We have listened to service families in Scotland and have responded with these amendments which will allow the coroner systems in England and Wales and Fatal Accident Inquiry system in Scotland, to be more responsive to families' circumstances. These changes will mean that in most cases the next of kin will no longer have to travel to England for inquests."
"It is important that we make bereaved service families our top priority during what is an extremely difficult time, and try to do everything in our power that will remove or reduce any unnecessary distress involved."
The amendments will allow fatal accident inquiries to take place, when appropriate, in Scotland into the deaths of service personnel who are killed on operations or exercises overseas.
Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth said: "Our priority has always been to provide the best possible support to bereaved families. Holding inquiries in Scotland for Service personnel killed on overseas operations will be a great help to Scottish Service families at what already is a difficult time. Families which have suffered the tragedy of losing a loved one should, if possible, have access to a full investigation close to home."
The Coroners and Justice Bill is currently before Parliament and is expected to receive Royal Assent towards the end of the year. These changes will come into effect as soon as possible after that.
(JM/BMcC)
Currently, the bodies of Scotland based service personnel killed abroad are returned to England so that a coroner can investigate the circumstances surrounding the death. This is because there is currently no legislative basis under Scottish law for the Lord Advocate to investigate deaths outside of Scotland and requires the bereaved families to travel to England for inquests.
Bridget Prentice Justice Minister said: "We have listened to service families in Scotland and have responded with these amendments which will allow the coroner systems in England and Wales and Fatal Accident Inquiry system in Scotland, to be more responsive to families' circumstances. These changes will mean that in most cases the next of kin will no longer have to travel to England for inquests."
"It is important that we make bereaved service families our top priority during what is an extremely difficult time, and try to do everything in our power that will remove or reduce any unnecessary distress involved."
The amendments will allow fatal accident inquiries to take place, when appropriate, in Scotland into the deaths of service personnel who are killed on operations or exercises overseas.
Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth said: "Our priority has always been to provide the best possible support to bereaved families. Holding inquiries in Scotland for Service personnel killed on overseas operations will be a great help to Scottish Service families at what already is a difficult time. Families which have suffered the tragedy of losing a loved one should, if possible, have access to a full investigation close to home."
The Coroners and Justice Bill is currently before Parliament and is expected to receive Royal Assent towards the end of the year. These changes will come into effect as soon as possible after that.
(JM/BMcC)
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