Lord J. Russellsaid, that he had heard the right hon. Baronet (Sir J. Graham) was about to introduce a bill affecting the Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons. He wished to know whether the right hon. Baronet intended to introduce in his bill a clause affecting the existing charters, and giving new charters; and whether, if that bill authorised the Crown to alter the existing charters, and grant new charters, it was the intention of the right hon. Gentleman to act on such powers before the Parliament again met.
§ Sir J. Grahamreplied, that it was his intention to bring before the House a measure authorising her Majesty to grant a new charter to the college of physicians, and if the bill were carried, the new charter should be issued before the meeting of Parliament.
§ Viscount Sandonwished to know whether the charter would give the power to grant degrees.
§ Sir J. Grahamreplied, that it was not intended to give by the bill any such authority, because it was not wanted. Her Majesty could at present give the power of conferring degrees to any such body as her Majesty might think fit.
Lord J. Russellinquired, if it were not necessary to confer such powers, for what purpose were the new charters to be given?
§ Sir J. Grahamreplied, that on bringing in the bill he would state the nature of the proposed charter.
§ Mr. Ewartwished to know if it would exempt these colleges from the operation of the Medical Reform Bill.
§ Sir J. Grahamreplied, that his answer to this must be the same as to the last question. When he brought in the bill he should state the precise provisions of the proposed charter.
Mr. O'Connellwished to know whether there was any intention that the charter should affect the colleges of physicians and surgeons in I reland?
§ Sir J. Grahamreplied, that it was necessary to apply for powers to grant a new charter to any body, excepting one, in which the charter rested on a statute. The physicians were guarded by an act so early as the reign of Henry the 8th.
Mr. O'Connellobserved, that the physicians in Ireland had also an act of Parliament for their charter.