§ LORD GARDINERMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government, when the comprehensive Bill on burial laws, referred to in this House on the February 5, 1963, is likely to be introduced.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT (LORD SANDFORD)My Lords, the noble and learned Lord will recall that on January 25, in reply to a question he asked on this subject during the debate on the Wild Creatures and Forest Laws Bill, my noble and learned friend the Lord Chancellor said that discussions were taking place between the Department of the Environment and the Law Commission. The Commission have since accepted the task of reviewing the law of burial in collaboration with the Department of the Environment and will be reporting to my noble and learned friend the Lord Chancellor, no doubt with a suggested comprehensive Bill. Decisions on the introduction of a Bill must wait until the report is received. The Commission hope to be able to report next year.
§ LORD GARDINERMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that answer, may I ask two supplementary questions? First, does he appreciate that the Question is not intended to be a criticism of the Government but of a Ministry which goes on promising this and does not do it? Secondly, is it not a fact that the noble Viscount, Lord Colville of Culross, was only persuaded to withdraw his comprehensive Bill in 1963 by a promise by 690 the noble Lord, Lord Hastings, on behalf of the then Minister of Housing and Local Government that he would produce a more comprehensive Bill and
That instructions to the draftsman will be prepared as quickly as possible. By that I mean without delay, though I cannot yet say definitely …when the comprehensive Bill will be ready. Therefore I cannot give a definite date. …We intend to proceed … without unnecessary delay and as soon as possible."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 5/2/1963; col. 508.]Does the noble Lord not think that eight years is rather a long time to elapse since then?
§ LORD SANDFORDYes, my Lords, but I think that the noble and learned Lord will know that when his Administration took up the task they found that this was not an easy subject and not really suitable for a Private Members' Bill.