HC Deb 02 August 1887 vol 318 cc928-9
MR. O. V. MORGAN (Battersea)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with regard to the proposed new burial ground for South London, Whether he is aware that the cemeteries of Bethnal Green at Victoria Park, and of Stoke Newington at Abney Park, were sanctioned without an application to Parliament; whether he is aware that by 16 & 17 Vict. c. 134, s. 6, it is enacted— When any new site has been selected, an ordinary letter stating the fact and requesting approval of the same shall he addressed to the Home Secretary; whether he is aware that the Batteraea Burial Board is prepared to carry out any suggestions he may make as to sanitary arrangements; whether he is aware that the Chairman of the Sutton Local Board advocates the establishment of the cemetery as a great been to the inhabitants of that town; and, whether he is now prepared to give his sanction to the proposed cemetery?

MR. BONSOR (Surrey, Wimbledon)

asked, whether the right hon. Gentleman was aware that there was a Resolution on the Minutes of the Sutton Local Board declining to co-operate with the Battersea Burial Board in establishing a cemetery at Rosehill; and, whether he had not that day received a Memorial which had been signed by the clergy, the medical men, and the principal residents of Sutton and the locality against the establishment of the cemetery on sanitary and general grounds?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)

The cemeteries named in the hon. Member's Question were, I believe, formed under the powers of the Cemeteries Clauses Act, 1848. The 16 & 17 Vict.c. 134, does not, so far as I can discover, contain the words quoted by the hon. Member. My answer to the third and fourth Questions is in the negative. The opening of a new burial ground and burials in Sutton have been prohibited by Order in Council for the protection of the public health; and I am still considering whether I am justified in sanctioning the opening of a now and large cemetery in that district, as to which I am now receiving frequent communications.