§ MR. WHALLEYasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, with reference to the operation of Orders issued by Lord Kimberley reducing the Protestant diocese of Gibraltar to the position of a Missionary Church, and to the representations made by the Reverend Mr. Wayne, of Malta, and others, complaining of the degradation and injury sustained by the Protestants of Malta thereby, Whether any, and what steps are to be taken to afford due protection to public and private interests against this supremacy claimed and now exercised by the Church of Rome in that Colony?
§ MR. J. LOWTHERI am not aware, Sir, of any "orders" issued by Lord Kimberley upon the subject referred to in the hon. Gentleman's Question; but the Letters Patent of the 15th of November, 1873, were repealed under the advice of the then Law Officers of the Crown, and the new Bishop was consecrated by virtue of a mandate, dated the 5th of December, 1873. As to the case of Mr. Wayne, no official representations have reached the Colonial Office; but a private communication has been received which, together with others, is now under consideration.