Mr. CHARLES MacVEIGHasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the vestry of the Raphoe Cathedral, East Donegal, have asked the Local Government Board to inquire into the unsanitary condition of the graveyard in the cathedral grounds, situated in the centre of the town, and condemned as unsanitary 30 years ago, and though there is not an unoccupied space for a grave in it, burials are continually taking place; whether the health officer has recently advised an inquiry and reported the greater part of the graveyard congested and a menace to the health of the community; and whether, seeing the danger to the inhabitants and that the Local Government Board has either neglected or refused to hold an inquiry, he will at once take steps to have an inquiry held in this matter and thereby allay the fears of the people?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Local Government Board received a representation on this subject from the select vestry in 1906. The medical officer of health has never made a report describing the condition of the graveyard as a menace to the health of the community. In his last report he stated that he could not condemn it as congested, save in so far as it was used by strangers, and added that there was room enough to bury those who had burial rights. In view of the opinions expressed by the responsible medical officer of health the Local Government Board do not think that any good would result from holding an inquiry.