HC Deb 17 August 1857 vol 147 cc1734-5
MR. KINNAIRD

said, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any steps have been taken or any Order in Council has been issued to remove from the Legislative Council of Malta any Priest or other Minister of Religion, and to prohibit them in future from being elected or sitting as Members of the said Council.

MR. LABOUCHERE

said, the Crown had been advised to issue an Order in Council declaring Priests of any persuasion ineligible to sit as Members of the Legislative Council of Malta. The Order in Council was not retrospective in its operation, and would not disturb those who now held seats in the Council. When the next general election should take place, however, the rule would be observed that no Priest of any persuasion whatever, would be eligible to a seat in the Legislative Council.