§ MR. LOCKEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether it is competent for the Jersey States to criticize the enactments of the Imperial Legislature, and question the propriety of Orders in Council legally and regularly made; if not, whether steps will be taken to protect the privileges and dignity of Parliament?
MR. ASSHETON CROSS, in reply, said, he could only refer the hon. and learned Gentleman to the Report of the Royal Commission which inquired into the laws of Jersey in 1847. From that Report it appeared that the Jersey States had legislative power, and that the form which this authority now assumed was that of Orders of Her Majesty in Council. The Orders were registered in the Royal Court, and were not binding in law until such registration was effected. This was settled by the Code of 1771. It was, however, declared by the same Code that it was competent for the Royal Court, in any case where the Order in Council appeared to be contrary to the charters or privileges of the Jersey States to suspend the registration until the pleasure of the Crown was further taken; although, if the Crown did not withdraw the Order, it must be registered.