THE Government has pledged to release figures on how long it takes to release bodies from morgues.
Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy asked Justice Minister Jonathan Djanogly for the information after receiving a number of complaints from Muslim families frustrated at the time it takes for bodies to be released in Waltham Forest.
Last month Mosque leaders met with Cllr Afzal Akram and Miss Creasy to discuss concerns over a policy which sees bodies destined for burial abroad held for four working days.
In Muslim culture a funeral must be held as soon as possible after death, but mosque leaders say coroners discretionary power to waive the four-day rule has not been applied in the last eighteen months in Waltham Forest.
MP Stella Creasy wrote to the Justice Minister asking: "How many 104 removal of body notice forms have been issued in the London borough of Waltham Forest since 2000; and how many of those were issued within four days of request?"
Mr Djanogly replied yesterday: "This information is not held centrally. I have, however, made inquiries with the East London Coroner's office, who have advised that 2,045 removal of body notice forms have been issued since 2000.
"They have not been able to say how many of those were issued within four days of request. I will write to the hon. Member when I have any further information, and place copies in the Libraries of the House."
The coroner's court say the four-day rule is applied to ensure everyone is treated equally.
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