§ COLONEL COTTON-JODRELL (Cheshire, Wirral)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board, whether his attention has been called to the difficulty which has arisen with respect to the precept issued by the Bebington (County of Chester) Burial Board to the Overseers of the townships within its area for the maintenance of the cemetery; whether, since the Local Government Board has stated that the said Burial Board has ceased to be a legally constituted body, he will declare in what body its functions are now vested, and who is responsible for the maintenance of the cemetery; and, whether the Local Government will issue an explanatory memorandum, similar to that of May 1894; or invite the Cheshire County Council to examine and report upon the subject?
§ MR. CHAPLINI am aware of the question which has been raised with regard to the precept which has been issued to the Overseers by the body acting as a Burial Board for the Burial District which includes a large proportion of the County Borough of Birkenhead. The Board have informed the Overseers of the view which they hold in the matter, but the Town Council of Birkenhead appear to have been advised by counsel in a difference sense. Neither the Local Government Board nor the County Council of Cheshire have any authority under which they can determine the question at issue. An authoritative decision can only be given by a Court of Law.