HC Deb 07 May 1924 vol 173 cc431-3
68 and 69. Mr. ATHOLL ROBERTSON

asked the Minister of Health (1) what are the conditions he has laid down in sanctioning a burial ground for the East End Hebrew community just off the Great North Road in the Finchley area; and if the traffic congestion caused by so many funerals proceeding along the Great North Road to the many cemeteries there already was considered at the inquiry;

(2) if he is aware of the unanimous disapproval of the residents in the Finchley area to the proposed provision of a Hebrew cemetery in that area; that Finchley already has three cemeteries within its borders, namely, those of St. Pancras, Islington, and Marylebone, containing a total area of 214 acres; that the residential population is 50,000; that these cemeteries are most prejudicial to the development of the area; that this new proposal of a Hebrew cemetery for the East End will still further hamper housing and other developments; and will he give due weight to all the local objections before he finally approves the application?

Mr. WHEATLEY

I can assure the hon. Member that all the facts in this case and all the objections were carefully considered before the case was decided. I will send the hon. Member a copy of the letter setting out the conditions subject to which approval was given.

Mr. ROBERTSON

Is it not the fact I that the district is unanimously opposed to the extension of cemeteries in the area, and what can we do to protect ourselves against such a decision contrary to the public opinion of the district?

Mr. WHEATLEY

I am afraid I cannot give a general recipe which would result in cemeteries being unnecessary.

Lieut.-Colonel FREMANTLE

May I ask whether the letter that was sent by the right hon. Gentleman—and of which he has been good enough to send me a copy—did not put the matter largely on questions of health; yet why was it that he has allowed part of the land to be used which obviously could be equally healthfully used, and another part not used which obviously—[HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear!"]

Mr. SPEAKER

I should like to see that question in print.

Mr. ROBERTSON

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply I shall ask the permission of the House to raise this matter on the Adjournment to-morrow evening.

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