HC Deb 27 December 1893 vol 20 c261
SIR R. TEMPLE (Surrey, Kingston)

I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education whether the law lately passed by a large majority in the States of Guernsey, securing a denominational education to the children in the public elementary schools of the Island, has yet received the assent of Her Majesty?

* MR. ACLAND

I am informed that the law on education lately passed in the States of Guernsey received the assent of Her Majesty at the Council held on the 12th of this month.

MR. CARVELL WILLIAMS (Notts, Mansfield)

I beg to ask whether it is not the case that this Bill was before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, and whether objectors to the measure were afforded an opportunity to state their objections?

MR. HARTLEY (Islington, N.)

I should also like to know whether this law was not passed by a practically Home Rule Parliament in that Island, and whether the Queen in Council was not necessarily obliged to give consent to the action of that Legislature?

* MR. ACLAND

The matter was considered by the Committee of the Privy Council for the Channel Islands, and that Committee took the view that the States, having passed this law by a large majority, the Privy Council were not called upon in any way to interfere.

MR. BARTLEY

How was it that the law did not receive the Royal Assent until nine months after it had boon passed?

MR. ACLAND

I assume that the delay was due to the time given to the objectors to present their Petitions, and to be beard.

MR. MACARTNEY

Was the action of the Privy Council in accordance with the general practice?

MR. ACLAND

Yes, I believe so