§ MR. OSBORNE MORGAN (Denbighshire, E.)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether the Burial Board of Attleborough, in the county of Norfolk, have received notice that a mandamus will be applied for to compel them to obtain the consecration of the cemetery lately opened by them, or of some part thereof; and whether it is intended to institute such, or similar, proceedings against that or any other Burial Board which has opened, or intends to open, for public use, a cemetery containing no consecrated ground?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)Yes, Sir; the Burial Board of Attleborough have received notice that a mandamus will be applied for to compel them to do what the law requires them to do—namely, to apply to the Bishop of the diocese to consecrate part of their burial ground, which has been duly appropriated for the purpose of consecration. Since I have been in Office ineffectual attempts have been made to induce the Board to fulfil their statutory obligation without legal proceedings; and I am informed that the Board have refused the offer of a parishioner to defray the costs of consecration himself. The result is that, as the churchyard has been closed by Order in Council, the parishioners are deprived of their right to be buried in consecrated ground if they so desire. It will depend on the circumstances of each case whether similar proceedings shall be instituted against other Boards. I hope the decision of the Queen's Bench will prevent other Boards from throwing on the ratepayers the costs of refusing to fulfil their legal obligations.