THE LONDON UNIVERSITY.

HL Deb 14 May 1835 vol 27 cc1064-5

The Marquess of Lansdowne

wished to take an opportunity to correct an accidental error into which his noble and learned Friend had fallen a night or two ago in a conversation relating to the London University. His noble and learned Friend had stated, that a noble Friend of his, now the Secretary for the Home Department, had not attended the arguments on this subject at the Privy Council. He had referred to the documents, and had a communication with his noble Friend, the Secretary for the Home Department, and found that his noble Friend had attended all the hearings. It was important that this should be known, that his noble Friend might not be supposed to give an opinion on a subject he had not considered.

Lord Brougham

said, that what the noble Marquess had stated was perfectly true. He had himself said, that it was not necessary to wait for the opinion of his noble Friend, the Secretary for the Home Department, as the Secretary for the Home Department had not heard the argument. He had thought of his noble Friend only in that character, and not as Secretary for the Home Department. His noble Friend did not seem to have an interest in the question as Paymaster of the Forces, but, whether as Paymaster of the Forces, or as Home Secretary, he had never ceased to take a lively interest in the establishment of the London University. He had no objection to some delay now on account of his noble Friend's absence elsewhere, because, as Home Secretary, though not as Paymaster of the Forces, he was peculiarly interested in the question; but he protested against any delay on account of any other individual. It would be desirable as soon as possible to call together those who had before heard the arguments, that they might decide on the question; otherwise fresh arguments would be necessary. The speedy calling together of the Members of the Council would be, besides, proper, as a noble Friend of his might not be able to attend any other meeting of the Board; and if the matter were longer delayed, that might be the same with other Members of the Council.