§ SIR JOHN GRAYasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether it is a fact that an alien residing by permit in Gibraltar, who marries a wife who is a British subject, is deprived of his permit if his wife remains at her home in Gibraltar on the occasion of her confinement?
§ MR. KNATCHBULL-HUGESSENSir, there has been for many years past a regulation in force in Gibraltar which at first sight appears to bear hardly upon ladies at an epoch of their existence peculiarly interesting. The reason of this regulation is to be found in the necessity of restricting the number of those who, born as British subjects, have claims to reside upon the circumscribed area of the fortress. This regulation, however, has been under consideration, and we are now awaiting a promised Report from Gibraltar upon the subject. When that Report has been received, the matter will be fully considered and decided upon, the decision being taken with a due regard, in the first place, to the health of Gibraltar, and its safety as a fortress.