Call for submissions on baby ashes scandal
THE independent commission set up in the wake of the baby ashes scandal has called for the views of bereaved parents, cremation staff and others to be submitted.
Following its first meeting, former high court judge Lord Bonomy has also confirmed its remit and membership.
The group is made up of representatives from local authorities and the NHS, organisations involved in cremation and relevant charities. It will review current policies, guidance and practice across Scotland in relation to the handling of ashes following the cremation of babies and infants, and make recommendations for improvements.
The commission will also consider how existing legislation is working and give guidance on the conduct of any investigations of histori- cal practice being undert a ke n by c o unci l s or crematoria operators.
Lord Bonomy said: “The success of the commission’s work is very much dependent upon the engagement and support of members of the public, particularly those affected by the trauma of infant death. We invite all who feel they can assist our work to do so by sending us their submissions in writing by July 19.”
Public Health Minister Michael Matheson said: “I am pleased Lord Bonomy and the members of the commission have accepted the remit and can begin this important work.
“I believe we now have the opportunity to make some real, positive changes, and the work and recommendations of the commission will inform new legislation ensuring these sort of incidents can never happen again.”
Mr Matheson announced the commission would be set up l ast month after it emerged last December that Mortonhall crematorium in Edinburgh secretly buried the ashes of babies for decades without the knowledge of the families.
Since then, other local authorities have been implicated. Aberdeen City Council announced last month it was carrying out an audit after it was revealed that while 24 babies have been cremated at Aberdeen crematorium in the last five years, on no occasions were ashes given to their families. Glasgow City Council apologised to one family and joined calls for an independent investigation into the practices of publicly-owned crematoria to be held.
Former Lord Advocate Dame Elish Angiolini is already chairing an investigation practices at Mortonhall crematorium.
The commission will report its findings to the Scottish Government by the end of 2013.