HC Deb 29 March 1956 vol 550 cc2342-4
36. Mr. Freeth

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what regulations and by what authority, between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Wednesday, 14th March, within normally permitted entry hours, a woman was refused admittance by the police to Highgate Cemetery for the purpose of placing flowers on the grave of a deceased relative.

Major Lloyd-George

The cemetery, which is owned by a private company, was closed to the general public between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on 14th March by order of the company. The police were not responsible for refusing admission.

Mr. Freeth

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the police appeared to consider that they were in a position to refuse admission to this cemetery during that time? Is he aware that a witness to the event mentioned in the Question approached a police superintendent and spoke to him and the superintendent told him he had his instructions and nothing could be done about admitting this woman?

Major Lloyd-George

With that I entirely agree, but that does not say it was the police who refused admission. This was on the occasion of the unveiling of a memorial to Karl Marx, by Mr. Harry Pollitt I believe. The cemetery is owned by a private company which refused admission and the police had to see that traffic moved and so on, but they refused no one admission at all.

Mr. Gordon Walker

Is it not an extraordinary thing that cemeteries can be closed to mourners and others? If private companies can do this, will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consider some means, through legislation or otherwise, to prevent such a practice? Is it not a shocking thing for people to find that a cemetery is closed because it happens to be private property?

Major Lloyd-George

That is a larger question and, as I have indicated, this was a rather different case from the normal. I suppose the owners did not want too many people inside the cemetery. I cannot possibly consider legislation on the matter.

Mr. Freeth

Is it a purely private company which owns the cemetery, or does a local authority own it? Will my right hon. and gallant Friend take some steps to prevent closing of these areas of ground to which many people come from considerable distances and are not aware that they are likely to find them closed at odd times? Will he take some steps to remedy the situation?

Major Lloyd-George

My information is that the cemetery is owned by a private company. I would suggest to my hon. Friend that we must keep a sense of proportion in these matters. This was the only occasion which has been brought to my notice, and it was an exceptional occasion.

Mr. G. Jeger

Is it really a fact that the grave of Karl Marx is in a cemetery which is owned by private enterprise and that he was buried by private enterprise?