§ 60. Mr. RALPH BEAUMONTasked the Home Secretary in how many cases the local authorities in Wales have exercised their powers, under the Welsh Church Act, of taking over the burial grounds, and in how many cases they have not yet done so; and whether he proposes to take any steps to regularise the present position?
§ Sir J. SIMON149 burial grounds have been transferred to the local authorities concerned; 670 remain in the hands of the Welsh Church Commissioners. As regards the last part of the question the matter is receiving my careful consideration but I am not yet in a position to make any statement.
§ Mr. BEAUMONTDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that this matter is one of grave urgency, because many of the burial grounds are steadily deteriorating, and does he propose to take early action?
§ Sir J. SIMONIt is certainly both a difficult and an urgent matter and that is why, as I have already said, it is receiving my careful consideration.