18 FEBRUARY 1966, Page 6

E be Zpectator

February 17, 1866

Sir George Grey on Tuesday brought in a Bill for the abolition of all oaths taken by members of Parliament excepting only the oath of allegiance. The Protestant oath contains absur- dities, the member who takes it being compelled to abjure a non-existent Pretender, and the Catholic oath is offensive, as implying that all who take it would lie if they could. It is pro- posed in the same Bill to legalise the admission of Jews, who at present sit, said the Home Secre- tary, "upon sufferance," having been admitted by resolution only.