§ 36. Mr. DAYasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the register of Grave No. 888 at Streatham cemetery, Garratt Lane, shows that this grave should contain 10 coffins, but that when the grave was opened at the head and foot only five coffins could be found; has he considered the request from the Wandsworth Trades Council asking him to appoint an inquiry to investigate these 2428 irregularities; and what reply has he made?
The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Lieut.-Colonel Sir Vivian Henderson)My right hon. Friend is informed by the burial authority that in consequence of an allegation that the grave in question only contained four coffins, a trial excavation was made at the head of the grave and disclosed five coffins within 10 feet from the surface. It was impossible to ascertain without exhuming all the bodies how many more there were in the lower half of the grave, and as the allegation in question had been shown to be untrue further investigation was thought to be uncalled for. With reference to the latter part of the question, my right hon. Friend explained to the hon. Member on the 18th instant, that this is a matter for the Minister of Health. He has accordingly transferred the resolution to the Minister and told the Trades Council that he has done so.
§ Mr. DAYIs the hon. Member not aware that the register shows that there should be ten coffins there, and that the allegations made by many of the grave diggers in the cemetery is that tunnelling operations are going on there and that the bodies are moved by what is called humping.
§ Sir V. HENDERSONI am not aware of anything in regard to tunnelling operations.
§ Mr. DAYIs it not a fact that this question was put down to the Minister of Health and has been transferred to the hon. Member's Department?
§ Sir V. HENDERSONNo, Sir.