Mr. KINGasked the Home Secretary whether he has had his attention called to the action of the Birkenhead Corporation, which has set apart an unconsecrated portion of a public cemetery and 812 has called it the Nonconformist ground; whether he is aware of the feeling evoked in Birkenhead by the application of the term Nonconformist; and whether he proposes to take any action to prevent the use of this term?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLAs I indicated, in answer to a question put by my hon. Friend on a similar subject, last Thursday, this is not a matter as to which I have any power to take action. I may, however, say that I understand that any action taken by the Birkenhead Corporation in regard to applying the term Nonconformist to the unconsecrated portion of their cemetery was taken with the view of meeting the wishes of persons burying in that portion.
Mr. KINGMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that the unconsecrated portions of cemeteries have been largely used in all parts of this land not only by Nonconformists of the Free Churches, but by Churchmen, Jews, and members of all churches, and of no church, and if under these circumstances the term Nonconformist when applied to one portion of a cemetery does not raise very difficult questions?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI understand that the Birkenhead Corporation, in proposing to use the word "Nonconformist" in place of "unconsecrated," believed it to be acceptable to Nonconformists."