* SIR WALTER FOSTER (Derbyshire, Ilkeston)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether cemeteries, as, for example, the three new cemeteries at Oxford, which were provided under Martin's Act, and which have been used for several years without having been consecrated, in whole or part, are outside the purview of the Burial Act, 1900, with reference to consecration.
§ * MR. RITCHIEThe answer is in the negative.
* SIR WALTER FOSTERThen has the right hon. Gentleman changed his opinion in the last few days, for he told me that all cases approved prior to the passing of the Act did not come under the new Act.
§ * MR. RITCHIEThat is a totally different question.
* SIR WALTER FOSTERWhen cemeteries were approved under the old Burial Act, will they remain under that Act and not be affected by the new Act? Will cemeteries under Martin's Act come under the new Act with regard to consecration only?
§ * MR. RITCHIEThe question is simply whether, where they were established under Martin's Act, they are outside the purview of the Act of 1900 as regards consecration. I am advised that under the new Act it is quite sufficient that a desire from the locality should be expressed for the consecration of some part of a cemetery of this kind, and the Home Office will take steps to see whether an Order to give effect to the desire should be made.