HC Deb 01 March 1867 vol 185 c1229
MR. REMINGTON MILLS

said, he wished to ask the Judge Advocate General, If, when the present lease of the ancient Burial Ground of Bunhill Fields to the Corporation of London expired, it is the intention of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners to preserve it inviolate and in perpetuity, together with the vaults and graves, and to provide for its future maintenance in decent order; if so, whether it is intended to promote a Bill in Parliament for these purposes?

MR. MOWBRAY

Sir, in answer to the Question of the hon. Member for Wycombe. I have to say that it has throughout been the intention of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, and still is the intention of those Commissioners, to preserve the ancient burial ground of Bunhill Fields inviolate and in perpetuity, together with the vaults and graves. This intention will be found fully expressed in a Correspondence which will be on the table of the House in a few days. With respect to a provision for its future maintenance, I have to inform the hon. Gentleman that some questions are pending between the corporation of the City of London and the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, on which the Commissioners have twice offered a reference to arbitration, which has not been accepted. Till we receive the answer of the corporation of course I can give no further reply. With regard to the last question, it is not intended to bring any measure on the subject into Parliament during the present Session. The Commissioners had no intention to devote the ground to any other purpose than it had always been devoted to.