MR. O'BRIENasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, with reference to the statement that the calendars of the Queen's Colleges being published before the time fixed for the Royal University examinations, If he was made aware by the Queen's College authorities that the calendars so published only contain the examination papers set in the preceding year, and are therefore valueless in reference to the University examinations of the year in which they were published; and, whether there is any valid reason why the papers set at sessional examinations held in May or June should not be published, in a separate form or otherwise, so as to be accessible before the ensuing examination of the Royal University in October?
§ MR. TREVELYANIt appears to be sufficiently obvious, without explanation on the part of the Queen's College authorities, which I do not think they were bound to give in this case, that the calendars could only contain the examination papers set at preceding examinations, and not at examinations to be held after their publication. With regard to the suggestion that the papers set at the sessional examinations in May and June should be published in a sepa- 1841 rate form or otherwise, so as to be accessible before the ensuing examination, it appears to relate to a matter which is academic rather than administrative, though, no doubt, a consideration of expenditure would be involved in which the Treasury would be concerned. The Government having now appointed a Commission of Inquiry, I think that the House will not think it unreasonable if, pending its Report, I hesitate to answer Questions which are really academical Questions, bearing on the relation of the Queen's College examinations to the Royal University which, I think, ought to be, and I hope will be, referred to this Commission.
MR. O'BRIENThe right hon. Gentleman has not replied to the Question I put to him, which was, whether the Queen's College or Colleges made him aware that the examination papers published in the calendar were not in the papers of the year? This is not the first time the Queen's College authorities gave misleading and evasive information; and I would ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is not perfectly plain that the answer put into his mouth by the Queen's College was calculated and intended to shirk the point raised?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!
MR. O'BRIENI am entitled to ask the right hon. Gentleman to answer the Question I put on the Paper.
§ MR. SPEAKERI understood the right hon. Gentleman to say that he did not feel called on to answer Questions which were merely academic. The second Question now put by the hon. Member is not in Order.
MR. O'BRIENOn the Vote for the Estimates I will see whether the right hon. Gentleman will not be a little more communicative.