§ MR. THEOBALD (Essex, Romford)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If it is true that he has granted a licence to the proposed Woodgrange Park Cemetery at East Ham; whether he is aware that there are already in the immediate neighbourhood two cemeteries, one of which is estimated by its proprietors to be sufficient to accommodate burials at the present rate for 90 years, and the other to be similarly sufficient for 60 or 70 years; whether he is aware that building is going on in the immediate neighbourhood, and that it is tolerably certain that in a very few years the site of the proposed cemetery will be densely surrounded by houses; and, whether he is aware that the establishment of the proposed cemetery has been, and is, most vigorously opposed by everyone in the neighbourhood, and that its only advocates are speculative undertakers?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)I have sanctioned the opening of Woodgrange Park Cemetery at East Ham. There are two cemeteries not very far distant, so that burials will probably be divided between the three, and spread over a considerable area. There is some building going on not far from Woodgrange Park. I cannot estimate the rate at which it will probably proceed. There was strong opposition to the scheme, which was promoted by a Company formed for the purpose of providing burial ground at a cheap rate for the East End of London. I should have been glad if I could have met the wishes of the neighbouring proprietors who opposed the scheme; but I am advised that I have no jurisdiction to entertain any considerations other than those of public health. Alter a full inquiry before the Inspector, at which all parties were represented by counsel, I came to the conclusion that there were no sanitary objections to justify the withholding of my sanction, which I have only given under specially stringent Regulations amply sufficient to protect the public health.
§ MR. THEOBALDasked, whether the soil was not gravel, so that the impure water would pass into the adjacent wells, and become a source of disease?
§ MR. MATTHEWSsaid, that the evidence given before the Inspector, even by the opponents of the scheme, was that the soil was extremely well suited for a cemetery.
§ MR. THEOBALDIn consequence of the answer of the right hon. Gentleman, I beg to give Notice that I shall ask leave to bring in a Bill to prevent any Home Secretary from sanctioning or perpetrating such a scandalous outrage.