§ MR. DARBY GRIFFITHsaid, he rose to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether information has been received that great outrage and insult was offered to the dwellings and persons of the Italian Consul and of Signor Fabrizzi, Deputy to the Italian Parliament, and other Italian gentlemen, on the occasion of the fete of St. Paul, at Malta, on the 9th and 10th February, the authors of which were presumed to be Neapolitan and Sicilian Bourbon refugees; whether the Italian Consul had previously communicated the expectation of such outrage to the Government of Malta, and had received assurances of protection for himself and his countrymen; and if so, whether means will be 'taken by the Home Government to prevent in future such an abuse of the privilege of asylum accorded to those persons upon British territory?
§ MR. LAYARDin reply said, that a representation had been made by the Italian Government to the Home Government as to the affair mentioned by the hon. Gentleman—namely, the outrage and insult to the persons and dwellings of the Italian Consul, Signor Fabrizzi, and other Italian subjects in Malta, by persons who were supposed to be Neapolitan and Sicilian refugees. Inquiries were directed to be made. They had not yet heard the result, but of course every step would be 913 taken for the protection of any Italian subjects who might be in Malta.