HC Deb 26 May 1909 vol 5 cc1182-3
Mr. GODFREY BARING

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to certain recent occurrences, he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation vesting the control of sepultures in Westminster Abbey in some authority other than that of the Dean of Westminster?

Mr. PICKERSGILL

asked the Prime Minister if, inasmuch as Westminster Abbey has developed from a local cathedral into the national Valhalla, he will consider whether the time has come for legislation whereby the duty of awarding the honour of burial within its walls should be transferred from the custodian of the fabric to sonic authority representative of the nation?

The PRIME MINISTER

I am not able to express any opinion on this matter without much more time and consideration than I have been able to give to it.

Mr. WILLIAM REDMOND

May I ask if he can say who is the final authority with reference to the Abbey to decide matters of the kind?

The PRIME MINISTER

I believe the Dean.

Mr. A. LYULPH STANLEY (Cheshire)

Can he say if Westminster Abbey ever has been a Cathedral in the proper sense of the term or a Valhalla?

The PRIME MINISTER

I do not know the technical meaning of either of those terms.

Mr. SWIFT MacNEILL

Is it not a fact that the right of sepulture to any person, however eminent, absolutely depends on the veto for the time being of the Dean of Westminster?

The PRIME MINISTER

I believe that is so.

Mr. MacNEILL

When are you going to alter it?