Friend is the Minister in charge of the veracity of Government statistics, I want to draw to her attention the fact that in countless hospitals throughout England and Wales, death certificates are not being completed in a proper and frank manner. I think that the Minister knows what the hon. Gentleman is asking. This is a serious matter, and I appreciate his raising it. Doctors are required to complete certificates showing the cause of death to the best of their knowledge and belief.
Guidance is included at the front of every book of death certificates.
Indeed, they are not available without it, and it stresses the need to complete the sequence of conditions that led to death, so death certificates are being correctly completed. However, I am sure my hon. Friend will be interested to know that the Department of Health has decided to make all invasive forms of MRSA infection reportable by NHS trusts to the Department of Health, from April. Will my hon. Friend recognise the important work that my constituents do in the statistical office in Runcorn, in the constituency of my hon.