HC Deb 26 February 1845 vol 77 c1234
Sir P. Egerton

wished to draw the attention of his right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to some very shocking circumstances stated in the newspapers of that day, as having come out in evidence before one of the police magistrates. It was said, that in a crowded churchyard belonging to Clerkenwell, it was the custom to inter bodies brought for burial, but this interment was only pro tempore; for after a few days they were disinterred, chopped up with a large spade, and, being thus cut to pieces, were burnt in the bonehouse. He was sure that his right hon. Friend the Home Secretary would take every step in his power to put an end to a practice so disgusting and so injurious to the health of the locality in which it existed.

Sir J. Graham

said, that up to the statement just made by his hon. Friend, he had never heard of the horrid circumstances which he referred to. He certainly should feel it his duty to make inquiries on the subject, though he thought there would be some difficulty in removing the cause of the evil.

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