§ MR. SHIRLEY (Yorkshire, W. R., Doncaster)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether the following statements, in a letter to The Sheffield and Rotherham Independent of 28th March, headed "Bolton-on-Dearne Burial Ground," and signed "G. Whitlam," are accurate:—
The churchyard is full, and has been for years, and every interment means a sight more or less distressing to ordinary human instincts. It is impossible to select a grave space where a corpse has not been previously interred. The consequence is, that every new grave means the disinterment of human remains;and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)The Inspector reported as to this burial ground in December last, after having made a personal inspection, accompanied by the Local Authorities. The Inspector recommended that an Order in Council should issue discontinuing burials in the parish church forthwith, and in the churchyard after the 1st of September, 1887. The necessary notices were forthwith given, and ultimately a representation was made to Her Majesty in Council, and I hope that the Order will be made at the next meeting of the Council.