§ MR. HALLEY STEWART (Lincolnshire, Spalding)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it has been reported to him that the Vicar of Seaford, Sussex, has set apart an out-of-the-way corner of Seaford Churchyard for Nonconformist burials, refusing to permit such burials in any other part of the churchyard; and, whether, in so doing, he is acting in accordance with the Law?
§ MR. MATTHEWSNo, Sir; I have received no such Report, and the vicar informs me that the allegation contained in the question is quite contrary to fact. There is no out-of-the-way corner in his churchyard where Nonconformists are buried. When no special permission is solicited, Nonconformists are usually buried on the north side. The vicar states that he would never refuse to meet the wishes of Nonconformists with regard to the position of the grave if timely permission were asked. Since the Act of 1880 there have been 12 Nonconformist funerals in various parts of the ground, and he himself has buried 30 Nonconformists according to the rites of the Church of England. The Act of 1880 reserves the right which previously evisted in the incumbent of selecting the position of the grave, and I cannot find that in this case anything, has been done contrary to the law.
§ SIR J. SWINBURNE (Staffordshire, Lichfield)Is there not a strong prejudice against being buried on the north side of a churchyard?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI am not aware of that.