§ MR. WAITasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether his attention has been called to a statement in the "Times" of the 9th instant, mentioning the forcible dispersion by the civil authorities at Cadiz of a congregation of Spanish Protestants while engaged in the celebration of Divine Worship on Thursday in Holy Week; and, if so, whether he has requested the British Minister at Madrid to remonstrate with the Spanish Government on so grave a breach of religious freedom; or, whether he has received any communication from him on the subject?
§ MR. BOURKEHer Majesty's Consul at Cadiz has reported that on the night of the 29th of March the service in the Evangelical Chapel in that town was put a stop to by the Municipal Guard, who forced the minister to descend from his pulpit, turned the congregation out of the chapel, which is Spanish property, and shut up the building. The officer declared that he acted under the orders of the alcalde. The complaint made against the minister, a Senor Hernandez, was that his voice was heard in the streets, which was contrary to law. When Mr. Layard received the Consul's telegram he made a representation to the Spanish Government on the subject. From a conversation with Mr. Layard to-day, I learn that Senor Canova, the Spanish Prime Minister, has promised to inquire into the conduct of the alcalde. Mr. Layard told him the occurrence would make a painful impression in Parliament and in this country, and the reply was that if the facts were such as were reported by the Consul the alcalde should be punished.