§ MR. LOCKEsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether the attention of the Government has been directed to the Report of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in the matter of the Jersey Jurats, reported in "Moore's Privy Council Reports, New Series," vol. iii., p. 482, in the year 1866; and, whether the Government intend to give effect to the opinion of that Committee, that "a complete change in the constitution of the Royal Court is absolutely necessary for the welfare of the island," by introducing a measure to effect that object?
MR. BRUCEsaid, in reply, that the attention of the Government had not been specially drawn to the decision to which the hon. Gentleman referred, but they were well aware that such a decision had been made. There never had been as yet direct legislation by Parlia- 946 ment in regard to the affairs of Jersey, the course being to apply Acts, or portions of Acts of Parliament, to that Island by Orders in Council. Constitutional authorities in that House differed on this subject; and, as this subject had not been specially brought under the notice of Government by the inhabitants or anyone else, it had not been considered by the Government with a view to legislation, nor could he hold out any prospect of legislation on the subject this Session.