Written question asked by Janet Dean (Labour) on Thursday, 5 June 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 12 June 2003. It was answered by Paul Goggins (Labour) on Thursday, 12 June 2003 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 24th February 2003, 400 c580W, on Memorials (safety), when guidance will be issued to local authorities about the safety-testing of non-monolithic memorials without ground anchor fixing; and if he will list the organisations from which he has taken evidence. - Includes ref to 24 February 2003 at 400 c579W.

Answer: Mrs. Dean: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 24 February 2003, Official Report, column 580W, on Memorials (safety), when guidance will be issued to local authorities about the safety-testing of non- monolithic memorials without ground anchor fixing; and if he will list the organisations from which he has taken evidence. [118579] Paul Goggins: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, Central (Hilary Benn) on 24 February 2003, Official Report, column 579W. We are aiming to issue appropriate guidance on memorial safety to local burial authorities by the end of the year. The issues are being considered by a working group consisting of the following organisations: Association of Burial Authorities Confederation of Burial Authorities Cruse Bereavement Care English Heritage Federation of British Cremation Authorities Health and Safety Executive Institute of Burial and Cremation Administration Local Government Association Muslim Council of Great Britain/Muslim Burial Council of Leicestershire National Association of Local Councils National Association of Memorial Masons (Chair) Society of Local Council Clerks

Secondary information