§ 29. Mr. Hannahasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether his attention has been called to the cost of removing railings and other ironwork from old graves; and will he undertake the expense of clearing churchyards of unnecessary metal and making good any damage so caused where the rector or vicar and church-wardens desire to have this done?
§ Mr. HicksThe arrangements which my Department has made for the taking of unnecessary railings cover railings and other unnecessary metal in churchyards. Making good so far as labour and materials are available is part of these arrangements.
§ Mr. HannahThe local vicar and churchwardens are not called upon to pay any expenses involved in that case?
§ 33. Sir William Davisonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether he will inform the House of the method by which freeholders who have had railings scheduled for removal which protect land purchased by them or their predecessors for purposes of recreation can obtain compensation for the loss they will sustain in being no longer able to make charges for admission; and, alternatively, will be inform the House of the statutory powers which permit of the taking of property without compensation as above?
§ Mr. HicksOwners of land from which railings are taken under the authority of the Defence General Regulations, 1939, are entitled to claim compensation under the provisions of the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939. Forms are obtainable from the appropriate local authorities. The second part of the Question therefore does not arise.
§ Sir W. DavisonDoes the Minister know that the local authorities complain very much that they have no discretionary powers as to advising the Ministry, except in cases of artistic merit and danger to the public, and will he look into this matter? Is he also aware that railings have been taken away in certain London parks without the military authorities 1786 being consulted, and that barbed wire and iron posts have had to be put up in place of the railings, and that this has taken more metal—apart from the time involved—than was obtained from the railings?
§ Mr. HicksThe local authorities are asked, in the first instance, to schedule all railings that are unnecessary. The local authorities have full authority in that matter. Anyone who is disappointed with regard to the schedule may make an appeal to a local tribunal or to the Ministry.
§ Sir W. DavisonIs it not the case that, except in the case of artistic merit or danger to the public, the local authorities have no discretion in regard to the scheduling of the railings?
§ Major-General Sir Alfred KnoxWho decides whether railings are necessary or not? Is the Minister aware that this is sometimes left to girls from the Women's Voluntary Service?
§ Mr. HicksThe local authorities have to decide, in the first instance, whether the railings are necessary. Eventually the matter comes to my Ministry.