§ MR. GRAYasked the Vice President of the Council, Whether the Professor 621 of Chemistry in the Royal College of Science, Dublin, has been prohibited from giving the professional advice and making the analysis for the public which he was in the habit of doing; whether gentlemen occupying similar positions in corresponding institutions in England are similarly prohibited; whether any memorial has been received from traders in Dublin complaining of the inconvenience and loss occasioned them by the regulation; and if any steps will be taken in the matter?
§ VISCOUNT SANDONSir, up to the year 1873 there were two Professors of Chemistry in the College of Science in Dublin—that is, one of General Chemistry, and one of Analytical or Applied Chemistry. The Professor of Applied Chemistry, who was in charge of the laboratory, was allowed to make analyses for the public, and to obtain part of his remuneration in that way. On the retirement of the Professor of General Chemistry, the Professor of Applied Chemistry applied for the post in addition to his own. His application was acceded to, and he was allowed the pay and emoluments of both offices, on condition that he devoted his whole time to the public service and did not undertake private work for profit, except with the special sanction of the Department. He accepted the post on those conditions. The only gentleman in England that I know anything about occupying a somewhat similar position is the Professor of the Royal College of Chemistry in London. He is permitted, under certain restrictions, to make analyses for private persons; but he is also obliged to make certain analyses for the Government at his own expense. He is also provided with a laboratory by the College. His salary, however, is only £300 per annum, while that of Professor Galloway, the Professor of Chemistry in the College of Science in Dublin, is £500 per annum, both having the fees from their students in addition. When a suitable opportunity occurs of re-considering the rules which were laid down for the English Professor of Chemistry many years ago, it is not at all unlikely that it will be thought right to modify the rule as to the emoluments of the Professor from private practice, in accordance with the arrangement now existing in the Dublin College of Science. A protest was re-, ceived from some manufacturers in Dub- 622 lin; they were informed of the conditions laid down, and that it was not considered-advisable to continue the practice of doing strictly private work partially at the expense of the public; but that, if it should be desired at any time, that analyses or investigations with respect to matters of general public interest and importance should be made in the laboratory of the Professor, the Department would be prepared to give due consideration to any application to that effect. One application only has been received, and that has been sanctioned. I am sorry, therefore, that I cannot meet my hon. Friend in his wishes.