§ MR. H. J. WILSON (York, N.R., Holmfirth)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been directed to the action of the Rev. John Prowde, vicar of Netherthong, in the Holmfirth Division, who has refused to permit the interment of the body of Mellen Cook in a family grave, on the ground that the deceased and his widowed mother were non-resident, unless she would allow him to conduct the funeral service; and whether the vicar was within his legal rights; and, if so, whether steps will be taken to amend the law?
§ MR. ASQUITHMy attention has been called to this case. The legality of the vicar's action appears to depend on the question whether or not the deceased had a right of interment in the grave in Netherthong Churchyard, and I have not sufficient materials before me to enable me to determine that question; but in any case, I think the course adopted by the vicar is greatly to be regretted. As a Bill has been brought in by the hon. Member for the Mansfield Division of Notts which deals with questions affecting burials and burial services, I would rather postpone until that Bill comes on any expression of opinion as to possible alterations in the law.