§ 55 and 57. Mr SWIFT MacNEILLasked the Prime Minister (1) whether, having regard to the fact that the rank, style, and dignity of Royal Highness, Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and G.C.V.O., now possessed by His Royal Highness the Duke of Albany, a traitor in arms against the Sovereign and people of these countries, are held subject to the pleasure of the King, and the titles of G.C.B. and G.C.V.O. now held by His Highness Prince Albert John Charles Frederick Alfred George of Schleswig-Holstein, now also in arms against the Sovereign and people of these countries, are held subject to the pleasure of the King and are conferred or taken away by the exercise of the Royal prerogative on the advice of the Ministers of the Crown, he will, having regard to the conduct of those princes in becoming public enemies of these Kingdoms, by whose people they were maintained and educated, advise His Majesty the King to deprive them of these honours, ranks, and dignities which they disgrace; and (2) why have not their Royal Highnesses the Duke of Cumberland, Teviotdale, and Earl of Armagh, and the Duke of Albany, Earl of Clarence, and Baron Arklow, traitors in arms against the Sovereign of these countries, and in the line of succession to the throne, been deprived of their peerages by letters patent or statute, or any other powers, and of their vested rights on certain contingencies of succession to the throne by Act of Parliament modifying the provisions of the Act of 1864 Settlement, which have been frequently modified, the modification generally being in the interests of Germans; and whether he is aware of the indignation aroused by the protection or immunity given to traitors in high positions, and the construction placed on such seeming preference to private and personal as contrasted with public and Imperial interests; and will he take steps for the removal of such mischievous impressions?
§ 58. Sir A. MARKHAMasked the Prime Minister whether, with a view of allaying the sense of disgust felt by a large number of loyal subjects of the Crown at the Duke of Albany and Prince Albert of Schleswig-Holstein, who are in arms against the Sovereign and the people of these countries, he will advise the Sovereign in the exercise of his Royal prerogative to de prive these persons of the various titles, rank, and precedence which they hold at the pleasure of the Crown, and which are accordingly revocable at such pleasure?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Cabinet have had this matter under consideration, and we are, as I said some days ago, in full sympathy with the feeling of the House on this subject. His Majesty will be advised to take the necessary steps both as regards titles and orders, and the technical questions involved are being considered by the Lord Chancellor.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have stated that the question will be considered by the Lord Chancellor.