HC Deb 25 October 1955 vol 545 cc8-10
29. Lieut.-Colonel Cordeaux

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will now make a statement on his policy in the case of commercially-operated cemeteries which revert to the Crown on liquidation of the companies concerned, with particular reference to the Nottingham General Cemetery.

Mr. Sandys

I am advised that, whereas this cemetery has become vested in the Crown, the Commissioners for Crown Lands have no liability for managing it, unless they take possession; and this they have no desire to do.

In the circumstances, it would seem appropriate that the Nottingham City Council should assume control of the cemetery. Should the council decide to do so, I would be prepared to make a contribution towards its expenditure.

Lieut.-Colonel Cordeaux

While thanking my right hon. Friend very much for the first answer on this Question which has not been entirely negative, may I ask him to bear in mind that for the last three months, since the liquidator was able to disclaim, no one has been in charge of the cemetery, it has been neglected, and there has been no manager and no access except unofficially? Does my right hon. Friend realise that this is causing great distress to many people in Nottingham whose relatives are buried there? As the Government have now accepted a limited form of ownership, could my right hon. Friend treat as a matter of urgency the acceptance of some of these obligations?

Mr. Sandys

That was not what I said in my reply. What I wished to indicate was that in the Government's view it is undoubtedly in the best interests of the inhabitants that the city council should take over the cemetery. I hope that the indication which I have given that the Commissioners of Crown Lands have no desire to take possession will lead the city council to the conclusion that it would be in the best interests of all concerned for the council to take over.

Mr. J. Harrison

Does the Minister visualise the City of Nottingham taking over the cemetery and continuing to run it as a cemetery or taking it over to prevent it from being left derelict and becoming a public nuisance? What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by "taking it over"? [Laughter.] If the council is to take it over, does the right hon. Gentleman recognise the tremendous expense involved in this matter?

Mr. Sandys

I do not think that this is a laughing matter. It is a situation which has caused very much grief to the relatives of those who are buried there. I hope we may arrive at some decent and practical solution to this problem. What I have in mind is that the council should take it over, naturally as a cemetery and not for any other purpose.

Mr. Tomney

Will the internees of the cemetery be made sleeping partners in this venture?

Mr. Mitchison

Will the Minister consider promoting some legislation to deal with this question of cemeteries which, as in this case, do not seem to belong to anybody and for which nobody at the moment has any responsibility? When he does so, will he bear in mind that they can be a very heavy financial burden on local authorities?

Mr. Sandys

Fortunately, cases like this occur very rarely, but I agree that the position under the law is not wholly satisfactory. Nevertheless I do not want Nottingham City Council to wait for a new Act of Parliament before it takes what I believe is the proper action in this case.