Page 101 - When Things Go Wrong

the Lakanal House Rule 43 Letters in England, 285 Government’s own 2018
Biological Security Strategy and the litany of inquest PFD reports arising
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from deaths in custody illustrates the need for a new and independent
watchdog. The Working Party supports proposals that an independent
body be established to monitor the implementation and effectiveness of
recommendations arising from death investigations.

Location

6.21 We considered the possibility of the Central Inquiries Unit serving as the new
watchdog. The unit should have capacity to act as a secretariat to Government
Departments, to monitor and inform them on any obligation to respond to
relevant inquiries.

6.22 However, we conclude that independence from Government is an essential
feature of any monitoring body and would be a key factor in securing public
trust. The new body should be a creature of – and accountable to – Parliament.
This may allow for liaison with Parliamentary Select Committees where
appropriate (see paras 6.27-6.32 below).

Functions

6.23 The EHRC, whose functions are contained in the Equality Act 2006, may serve
as an instructive analogue. Like the EHRC, any national oversight mechanism
should be empowered to monitor recommendations and actions taken to
implement them; 287 to report on the performance of those tasked with

285 As noted by the Bennett Institute, supra note 269, p. 12: “This did not need to be the case. Both the
Welsh and Scottish devolved governments responded to the recommendations made by the coroner in
the inquest into the deaths at Lakanal House by changing regulations. For example, Welsh legislators
enacted new regulations which provide that all new and changed use domestic premises must have an
automatic fire suppression system installed which controls and extinguishes fires without human
intervention”.
286 HM Government, UK Biological Security Strategy (July 2018).
287 See Equality Act 2006, s. 11-12.
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