§ MR. MACKINNON, in moving the Second Reading of the Public Cemeteries Bill, observed, that the object of the measure was threefold: first, to prevent all interments within the precincts of large towns or populous places; secondly, to prevent dead bodies from being kept in the rooms of the poorer classes for an indefinite time—a practice which induced many pestilential disorders; and thirdly, to limit, in some measure, the exorbitant charges of undertakers and others, which the poor were unable to pay. The evidence given before the Health of Towns Commission had fully established the bad effects of permitting interments in towns, and of allowing corpses to be kept for several days in the same rooms with the living members of the deceased's family. To remedy these 344 evils it would be necessary to place certain powers and machinery in the hands of the Government: there seemed no other course, notwithstanding the strong disinclination in the country to centralization. This Bill, accordingly, proposed that a Commissioner or Commissioners be appointed to act under a Committee of Privy Council, and to report on the existence of any nuisances affecting the public health. The Commissioners would inquire and report the extent of the evils abovementioned in the metropolis, and in towns where epidemic disease might appear most prevalent, or whenever they received a complaint from any parish or union; and they would state to the Committee of Privy Council the existing extent of space provided for burials in the district, and the edifices and consecrated and unconsecrated ground required, with plans and estimates for new cemeteries. If, after due publicity given to the project, it should be approved by the Privy Council, then it might be carried into execution under the superintendence of the Commissioner, with the aid of a local committee, if thought fit, consisting of the local clergy and a number of the inhabitants of the district. The Bill proposed to give compensation to the clergy during the lives of the present incumbents for the loss of fees, and also to clerks and sextons, if these should not be appointed by the Commissioner to the new public cemeteries. The proprietors of private burial grounds within the district would, also receive compensation for any loss they might sustain. The expense of all this might be defrayed by a small addition to the poor rate, not to exceed 3d. per head per annum, if the burial dues proved insufficient; money for the first cost might be obtained by loans secured on those burial dues and rates in aid of them. The whole subject was of vast importance; 67,000 persons were dying every year of epidemic and contagious diseases, occurring, in the largest proportions, in the worst-conditioned districts of towns. But this subject, as well as that of the prevention of smoke, ought to be taken out of his (Mr. Mackinnon's) hands by the Government; and he would propose that the Bill be read a second time, in order that the country might have opportunity of considering it before next Session, and then he hoped the Government would bring forward a satisfactory measure, founded on a great and comprehensive view of the whole matter.
§ SIR G. GREYfelt that the hon. Mem 345 ber was entitled to very great credit for the pains he had taken on this important subject. It was one which came within the operation of those sanitary measures which were now under the consideration of the Government, and would be brought forward, it might be hoped, early next Session. To read this Bill a second time at present, however, might be pledging the House to very important details—perhaps the assent would be rather formal than substantial—but it was desirable to reserve the whole question for full and fair consideration. The best course would be to let the House have the benefit of that consideration. He hoped the hon. Member would be disposed to leave the matter in the hands of the Government, with the assurance that the whole subject was to be considered by them.
§ MR. MACKINNONassented, and expressed a hope that the Government would be able so to mature a measure as to have it brought forward at an early period next Session.
§ Motion withdrawn.