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Powers with respect to the taking of evidence, etc., at inquest.
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38.—(1) A coroner may examine the witnesses at an inquest on oath.
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(2) Any person who—
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(a) being in attendance as a witness at an inquest refuses to take an oath legally required by the coroner holding the inquest to be taken or to answer any question to which the coroner may legally require an answer, or
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(b) does any other thing which would, if the coroner had been a court having power to commit for contempt, have been contempt of that court,
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shall be guilty of an offence and the coroner may certify the offence under his hand to the High Court, and that Court may thereupon inquire into the alleged offence and after hearing any witnesses who may be produced against or on behalf of the person charged with the offence, and after hearing any statement that may be offered in defence, punish or take steps for the punishment of that person in like manner as if he had been guilty of contempt of that Court.
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(3) A witness at an inquest shall be entitled to the same immunities and privileges as if he were a witness before the High Court.
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