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98
Appendix II.
METROPOLITAN BOROUGH OP WOOLWICH.
Uncertified Deaths and Death Registbation.
Report of Medical Officer of Health on the action taken by the late Plumstead
Vestry with respect to uncertified deaths and death registration,
with a summary of the replies received from other Sanitary Authorities
(referred to in Public Health Committee's Report of 11th December,
1900, paragraph 12.)
The Public Health Committee of the late Plumstead Vestry, in April last,
had under consideration the matter of death certification, and in
connection therewith a Report of the London County Council Control
Committee of January, 1895, as to uncertified deaths and Coroner's
Inquests, and recommendations of a Select Committee of the House
of Commons, 1893, on the subject.
Asa result—'
(a) The Local Government Board was asked to introduce into Parliament,
without further delay, a Bill on the lines proposed by the
Select Committee of the House of Commons on the subject of
death registration, and,
(b) A letter was sent to all the Vestries and District Boards of the
Metropolis, and to the London County Council, in the following
terms:—
" The Medical Officer of the Parish of Plumstead having
reported as to the high percentage of uncertified deaths
in Plumstead (averaging 3'5 in the last three years), the
Vestry has had Tinder consideration the unsatisfactory
state of the law with respect to death certification, more
especially as it effects the registration of uncertified
deaths.
"The Vestry finds that the number of inquests held varies
much at the discretion of the Coroner of the district, the
uncertified deaths being in some places less than 1 per
cent., and in Plumstead as much as 3 to 4 per cent, in
recent years; that the enquiries which enable the
Coroner to decide whether or not an inquest shall be
held, and determine the cause of death when no inquest
is held, are made by a police constable not specially
qualified for this responsible duty.
"A Select Committee of the House of Commons enquired
into the whole subject of death registration in 1893, and
made numerous recommendations.
"A Committee of the London County Council also enquired
into the same subject, and endorsed the recommendations
of the Select Committee. (See report of London
County Council on Coroners' Law Amendment and Payment
of Jurors, January, 1895.)