MR. H. BERKELEYsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department—Government having purchased the Brompton Cemetery in the year 1850, on the strength of a decided opinion expressed in a Report of the Board of Health, that it was one of those which for sanatory purposes ought to be closed, Why has Government kept that Cemetery open, when twelve years have added to the density of the population and the consequent danger?
§ SIR GEORGE GREYsaid, the Cemetery was purchased at the time mentioned by the hon. Member, but not at all with the view he had assumed. It was purchased by the then Board of Health, in order that it might be made available as a substitute for certain Churchyards which it was desirable on sanatory grounds to close. A very full Report was made in 1853 and again in 1856 by Dr. Sutherland and Dr. Holland, from which it appeared that for a considerable number of years burials might be conducted with perfect safety there under the regulations which had been enforced, and no apprehension could arise from the continuance of interments in that Cemetery.