HC Deb 09 June 1913 vol 53 cc1256-7
51. Mr. CASSEL

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the provisions of the Act for the Union of the two Kingdoms of England and Scotland, whereby the preservation of the Establishment of the Church of England in England, including Wales, is made and declared to be a fundamental and essential condition of the Union; and whether, having regard to such provisions, he proposes to proceed further with the Established Church (Wales) Bill without the consent of the majority of English representatives, contrary to such fundamental and essential condition?

The PRIME MINISTER

Parliament has the power, at its discretion, to revise or to repeal any Act or Acts it may previously have passed. If the hon. and learned Member will examine the Statute he will find that certain articles have already been modified by Parliament.

Mr. CASSEL

Is it not the case that the Act of Union between Scotland and England was founded upon a treaty, and does the right hon. Gentleman say that, in the view of the Government, that treaty may be departed from in fundamental and essential conditions without the consent of the majority of English representatives?

The PRIME MINISTER

I have pointed out that it has been done on more than one occasion already.

Mr. CASSEL

Does the right hon Gentleman say that was done without the consent of the majority of English representatives?