§ 73. Sir PHILIP CUNLIFFE-LISTERasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the order he has made sanctioning the purchase by the Hampstead Borough Council of land at Edgware as a site for a cemetery overrides the Edgware town-planning scheme; whether the Edgware District Council have protested against the proposal and have suggested an alternative 1168 site; and whether he will suspend the order pending the holding of a local inquiry at which the district council and the residents can be heard?
§ Mr. GREENWOODNo town-planning scheme has been over-ridden. An appeal was made to me, as was permissible under the town-planning provisions, against the refusal of the local council to allow the proposed cemetery. After carefully considering the case, including possible alternative sites, I came to the conclusion that I could not uphold the local council. I cannot now reopen the case. I may add that a local inquiry has already been held in the case, in connection with an application of the Hampstead Council for sanction to a loan.
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERFirstly, may I ask whether it was not a fact that the inquiry was a general inquiry and not one covering the over-riding of the Housing Order; and, secondly, will not the right hon. Gentleman, if he cannot hold a formal inquiry, receive a deputation from this council?
§ Mr. GREENWOODOn the first point, of course the inquiry was rather wider than the particular point in question at the moment. On the second point, I would be very glad to see the right hon. Gentleman, but the question of a formal deputation is another matter.
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERMay I not bring with me those who are intimately acquainted with this matter?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI am prepared to consider that, and I will give my right hon. Friend a definite reply.