§ 42. Mr. Coldrickasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that the Ridgeway Park Cemetery, Eastville, Bristol, which was the property of a limited company, now dissolved, is in a mouldering condition with no one responsible for its upkeep; and, in view 200 of the distress caused to those with relatives buried there, what action he is taking to deal with the problem.
§ Mr. H. MacmillanThis cemetery presents a difficult and intriguing problem. I am considering how it may be resolved. If the hon. Gentleman would get into touch with me I would be glad to explain to him, so far as I can, the somewhat macabre situation.
§ Mr. ColdrickWhile thanking the Minister for that reply—and I shall be glad to contact him on this "mouldering" question—may I ask him if he agrees that it is wrong for a limited company to pass on its liabilities as a burden to the local community after it has made a profit out of the cemetery?
§ Mr. MacmillanThis is a very extraordinary case. This cemetery did belong to a limited company, which is now dissolved. It then vested in the Crown under the Companies Act, 1948, as bona vacantia, but the Crown then disclaimed title, and the cemetery, therefore, belongs to nobody and nobody is responsible for its maintenance. It is a somewhat obscure problem which I am now trying to resolve.
§ Mr. AwberyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the continuous neglect of this cemetery is bound to have a detrimental effect on the health of the people in the neighbourhood? Would he take it up with the Minister of Health to see what can be done?
§ Mr. MacmillanI should like to take possession of it, and would do all I could, but it is a very curious and almost unique case. We are doing all we can.