§ MR. H. C. STEPHENS (Middlesex, Hornsey)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that under the operation of Section 15 of the Burials Act 1855, c. 128, whereby it is provided that land purchased and used for burial purposes by local authorities shall not be liable to re-assessment, wealthy authorities owning burial grounds in adjoining poor parishes absorb rateable area, and pay a very small proportion of the rates for poor, sanitary, district, school board, and county, which, but for Section 15 of the above Act, they would have to pay; and, whether, as cases of great hardship exist, he will cause a return to be made of authorities having burial outside their own area within the intent and powers of the Burials Act 1855, c. 128?
§ MR. CHAPLINUnder Section 15 of the Burials Act 1855, land acquired by a burial board for the purpose of a burial ground (with or without any building erected or to be erected thereon) is, while used for such purpose, not to be assessed to any county, parochial, or other local rates, at a higher value than the value at which it was assessed at the time it was acquired. I have no doubt 1603 that the result is that lands used as burial grounds are in many cases assessed at a lower rate than would otherwise be the case. If my hon. Friend will give notice of a Motion for the return which he desires the matter shall be considered.
MR. FREDERICKWILSON (Norfolk, Mid)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Parish Council of Guilden Morden, Cambridgeshire, having recently adopted the Burials Acts, purchased land for a burial ground and raised £200 by loan; will he explain on what grounds, although an inspector from the Home Office and the medical officer of health for the district inquired fully into all questions relating to the sanitary suitability of the site, the Local Government Board caused a second inquiry to be made by a special inspector when the application was made for sanction to the loan; and whether with a view to economy, he will take steps to prevent in future the holding of two inquiries where one would suffice?
§ MR. CHAPLINSo far as the Local Government Board are aware there was no public inquiry as to the proposal to acquire the land in question except that which was held by the Inspector of the Board. It is no doubt very desirable that in such cases the visits of two Inspectors of different departments should be avoided, and I will communicate with the Home Secretary on the subject.