§ MR. ROWLANDS (Kent, Dartford)I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the decisions of the Courts in Wilson v. Wallasey Urban District Council, and Godden v. Hythe Burial Board respectively; and, if so, will the Government promote legislation at an early date to relieve the burial authorities of the country from the position in which they are placed by the above decisions.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. JOHN BURNS, Battersea)The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this Question. As I stated on Monday last, in reply to my hon. friend the Member for the Tunbridge Division, this matter is receiving my attention.† I hope to be able
† See Col. 405.1014 to announce a decision with regard to it in a few days.
§ MR. ROWLANDSasked whether, if it was necessary, the right hon. Gentleman would consider the introduction of legislation.
§ MR. JOHN BURNSIt cannot be done without legislation, and I am at present engaged in considering the actual form which that legislation should take.
§ MR. MARNHAM (Surrey, Chertsey)May I ask if it is not the fact that the result of this decision is to render useless a considerable portion of a large number of cemeteries, causing great loss to the ratepayers?
§ MR. JOHN BURNSThe statement made by the hon. Member is perfectly correct, and that is the reason why I have given the subject immediate attention.
§ VISCOUNT TURNOUR (Sussex, Horsham)Will it be possible to introduce legislation this session, in view of the urgency of the matter?
§ MR. JOHN BURNSIf I could receive a universal assurance of support, I would do it to-morrow night.