§ MR. HALLEY STEWART (Lincolnshire, Spalding)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether it is the fact that, in August last the family vault of Francis Combe, Esq., in Hemel Hempstead Church, was, without the knowledge of his descendants, broken into, and, after the leaden coffins therein had been removed and broken up, and the remains therein had been buried in the churchyard, the vault was deepened, and added to the family vault of Sir Astley Paston Cooper, Bart.; whether these proceedings took place with the consent of the vicar, the Rev. Dr. Robbing, and with the sanction of the Home Secretary, or of any ecclesiastical 1243 authority; and, whether he has received any representations on the subject; and, if so, whether he has ascertained who are responsible for this act, and what steps he is prepared to take in the matter?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)I learn from the vicar that the vault of the Combe family was, with his consent, interfered with, and that he removed some pieces of battered lead and pieces of broken monuments, not belonging to the Combe family, which had been placed in the vault before the present vicar's time. No coffins appear to have been broken up by the vicar, or human remains removed to the churchyard. Coffins of the Cooper family were placed in the Combe vault. These proceedings were without the consent of the Bishop or the sanction of the Secretary of State, and were altogether irregular. The vicar informs me that he was in ignorance of the law relating to burials in a church and churchyard closed by Order in Council, and expressed great regret if he had done any anything contrary to law. I have written to the vicar, calling his attention to the existence of an Order in Council, regulating: burials in his church and churchyard, and requesting him to observe its provisions with regard to future burials in his parish. This is the only matter within my jurisdiction. The improper interference with a family vault is a matter wholly for the Bishop to deal with. I have no information to lead me to suppose that the coffins of the Cooper family were placed in another vault.