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Baby ashes families prompt government consultation plan | Baby ashes families prompt government consultation plan |
(35 minutes later) | |
A consultation about baby cremations could be held across England and Wales with a view to changing legislation, bereaved families have said. | A consultation about baby cremations could be held across England and Wales with a view to changing legislation, bereaved families have said. |
The idea was discussed at a meeting between Justice Minister Caroline Dineage and parents who failed to receive the ashes of their dead babies. | The idea was discussed at a meeting between Justice Minister Caroline Dineage and parents who failed to receive the ashes of their dead babies. |
It followed an inquiry into failings at Shrewsbury crematorium. | It followed an inquiry into failings at Shrewsbury crematorium. |
Glen Perkins, who formed the Action for Ashes campaign group, said Mrs Dineage had proposed a national consultation. | Glen Perkins, who formed the Action for Ashes campaign group, said Mrs Dineage had proposed a national consultation. |
'Positive' | 'Positive' |
It is expected to include affected families throughout England and Wales as well as industry experts. | It is expected to include affected families throughout England and Wales as well as industry experts. |
Mr Perkins - whose daughter Olivia died from sudden infant death syndrome in 2007 - described the meeting as "very positive" and said there was a willingness by the government to resolve the matter "sooner rather than later". | |
He was joined in Westminster by parents from Leicester, Hull, Banbury and Stoke-on-Trent. | He was joined in Westminster by parents from Leicester, Hull, Banbury and Stoke-on-Trent. |
They handed in a 61,000-signature petition calling for the return of ashes to be a legal requirement. | |
Families were accompanied by Daniel Kawczynski, MP for Shrewsbury, who has secured a parliamentary debate on the issue on Wednesday. | |
In a statement, Mrs Dineage said: "Having heard the experiences of some of the families affected, it is clear we must do all we can to make sure this never happens again. | |
"No parent should have their grief compounded by a system that is supposed to help. The Emstrey report had a number of recommendations and it is imperative that we consider each one carefully." | |
'Utmost importance' | 'Utmost importance' |
Last month, David Jenkins, who led the independent inquiry into failings in Shrewsbury, said he had been "struck by the absence of authoritative national guidance". | |
He proposed the creation of a national inspector of crematoriums. | |
About 60 families are believed to have been affected by failures at Shrewsbury's Emstrey crematorium between 1996 and 2012. | About 60 families are believed to have been affected by failures at Shrewsbury's Emstrey crematorium between 1996 and 2012. |
Speaking at the time, Mr Jenkins said there was clearly "no more painful experience" than losing a child and that the issue of infant cremation should be treated as of "the utmost importance". | Speaking at the time, Mr Jenkins said there was clearly "no more painful experience" than losing a child and that the issue of infant cremation should be treated as of "the utmost importance". |
A Freedom of Information inquiry by the BBC last year found the ashes of more than 1,000 babies were not handed to their parents between 2008 and 2013. | A Freedom of Information inquiry by the BBC last year found the ashes of more than 1,000 babies were not handed to their parents between 2008 and 2013. |
In March, former Justice Minister Simon Hughes had suggested new national guidelines could be brought in by the end of the year. | In March, former Justice Minister Simon Hughes had suggested new national guidelines could be brought in by the end of the year. |