The Justice Select Committee has today published its report following the public inquiry into the plight of the families of missing people.

The report on presumption of death has outlined three recommendations - to introduce a Presumption of Death Act for England and Wales, to introduce 'guardianship’ orders and to make guidance available for families of missing people. 

As it stands, families face a convoluted and cumbersome presumption of death system, and have no way of protecting a missing relative’s assets in the shorter term. This can result in financial hardship on top of the pain of their loved one being missing, and in the worse cases, homes being lost. The Committee recommendations would save families from this additional heartache, and is in line with the charity’s 'Missing Rights' campaign calls.

The recommendations from the Select Committee go a long way in supporting the ideas that have been brought to the attention of Government by Nigel Adams MP, Zac Goldsmith MP, Peter Lawrence and Lord Boswell of Aynho.

Following the publication, Nigel commented;

"I am thrilled at the recommendations that the Select Committee has made to Government.  The findings follow closely the arguments that we have been forwarding for months, with the help of the charity Missing People and I now look forward to hearing the Government's response and what action they will be taking to implement the recommendations."

Peter Lawrence, father of missing Claudia Lawrence and close friend of Nigel's commented;

"I'm delighted with the committee's very strong recommendations that nothing short of legislation will suffice and it should include provisions as to guardianship to enable families to deal with the financial and practical affairs of their missing loved one."