§ COLONEL SYKESsaid, he wished to ask the Lord Advocate, On what grounds and at whose suggestion the Class Fees have been increased, and many bursaries abolished in the University of Aberdeen, without previous communication with the authorities of the University?
THE LORD ADVOCATEin reply said, he believed the question of the hon. and gallant Gentleman referred to two ordinances which had recently been passed by the Commissioners of the Scotch Universities, and which were at present awaiting the assent of the Privy Council. But as the Government were in no way responsible for those ordinances, and as they had been passed under powers vested in the Commissioners by an Act of Parliament, while there were recognised modes of bringing them under the notice of the Privy Council, he did not think it right that he should then enter into any consideration of their merits. He had to state, however, that the revision of the Class Fees in the University of Aberdeen, and the regulations with regard to bursaries, had proceeded in a great degree on the recommendations of the Royal Commissioners who had inquired into those subjects in the year 1826, and the result had been not to increase, but rather to diminish, the expense of passing through the University. He believed also that the Commissioners had not come to any conclusion without previous communication with the authorities of the University.