HC Deb 17 June 1890 vol 345 c1140
MR. SUMMERS (Huddersfield)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is a fact, as stated by Lord Salisbury— That mixed marriages in Malta, where one party is a Roman Catholic and the other is not, remain in the same position which they have previously held, and are not in any way affected; and whether the Governor of Malta will, in accordance with the practice which has been in existence for many years, continue to issue licences to Protestant ministers authorising them to celebrate such marriages?

SIR J. FERGUSSON

Yes. It is not intended to alter the law regulating mixed marriages in Malta. I cannot say, positively, within what limits it has been the practice of the Governor of Malta to issue licences authorising Protestant ministers to celebrate marriages. Further inquiry will be made as to this. But our intention is that Protestants shall not be placed, in any respect, in a worse position.

MR. T. M. HEALY

What does Sir Lintorn Simmonds want at Rome? Who asked him to be sent there? Was it the Maltese people?

SIR J. FERGUSSON

He went there in order to settle some matters affecting the welfare of the people of Malta. Of course, he was sent by the responsible Government.

MR. T. M. HEALY

Did the Catholics of Malta ask that he should be sent to Rome?

SIR J. FERGUSSON

Not that I am aware of.