§ Mr. BOLANDasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the text of the Bill introduced into the Jersey States which lately secured a second reading, and will come up for third reading on 5th August; whether he is aware that the Catholics of the island have no representative in the States, and that the articles of the Bill dealing with religious instruction cannot be accepted by Catholics; whether in particular his attention has been drawn to Articles 10b, 14,16, 18, and 20, against which a protest has been lodged with the States; and whether, in view of the fact that the power of appointing teachers is taken entirely out of the hands of the managers of Catholic schools, that the so-called right of entry affords no safeguard for religious instruction, that teachers are bound down in their religious teaching to the reading and explanation of the Old and New Testaments, and that the result of the Bill, if passed into Law, will be to force all Catholic schools outside the national system and 1351 put them at the mercy of capricious inspectors, and if schools are then kept open they will be liable to a fine of £20 per day, he will state what facilities will be given by the Privy Council for the hearing of objections to the Bill?
§ Mr. GLADSTONEI have not yet seen the Bill. If and when it passes the States it will be submitted for approval by the King in Council, and will be carefully considered, together with any Petitions against the Bill that may be received.
§ Mr. BOLANDWhen the right hon. Gentleman says that the Privy Council will consider Petitions, will there be any opportunity for the Catholics of the island to be represented by counsel or otherwise before the Privy Council?
§ Mr. GLADSTONEI think that question had better be put when the case arises. I cannot answer at the present moment.