§ MR. CHARLEYasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to the evidence given at an inquest held on the 24th ultimo at Bethnal Green, to the effect that the dead bodies of five persons (a woman and four children) were placed for burial in a single coffin by William Burridge, an undertaker carrying on business in Bethnal Green, Walworth, and other places, contractor for burials from Millbank Prison, and Hackney and Bethnal Green Work- 521 houses, and to the admission of the said William Burridge that, though paid for burying dead bodies separately, he sometimes "buried three or four together;" and, whether the Right honourable Gentleman is prepared, considering the facilities afforded by this system for concealing child murder, to take any steps to suppress it?
MR. BRUCE,in reply, said, that some time ago he directed the Inspector of Burials to attend the inquest now proceeding, and that gentleman had done so, the inquiry having been adjourned from time to time. He had also ordered that a full Report should be presented, not only on this particular case, but on the general subject. The Inspector had not yet made his Report, and he wished to postpone giving a full answer until he should have received it. In the meantime he was informed that the Bill of his right hon. Friend (Mr. Stansfeld) would to a considerable extent provide for such cases.