HC Deb 02 April 1844 vol 73 cc1758-60
Mr. Wyse

moved for various Returns relative to the incomes of Dublin University and Maynooth College.

Sir R. Peel

thought that it would be establishing a dangerous principle to call for returns from a public institution which like the University of Dublin did not receive any grant of public money. Such a Motion ought not to be consented to without serious consideration. He also objected to the House requiring any specification of the religious opinions of the Members of the University. He hoped that the hon. Member would not call for a return from any institution receiving no public aid or emolument.

Mr. Shaw

thought, that the hon. Member could scarcely press his Motion. The University of Dublin did not receive any grant of public money. He thought the Return required in the third paragraph, with reference to the "emoluments enjoyed by the provost, senior and junior fellows, scholars, professors, and other officers of the University of Dublin," would be most invidious. They had no right to pry into the private emoluments of these parties. With regard to the "fellows," it was well known that they must be Protestants. The undergraduates embraced both Roman Catholics and Protestants, and a large number of the former were yearly educated in that University. All the honours and emoluments of the University were as much open to Roman Catholic undergraduates as to Protestants.

Mr. Wyse

did not attach much importance to the observation of the right hon. Member; but he did to the objection of the right hon. Baronet. If his Motion was not within the jurisdiction of the House, of course he would not press it. He merely wished to show that, by the Constitution of the University, many Roman Catholics were deterred from entering it. The Professorships of the University were open to Roman Catholics as well as Protestants. He wished by his Motion to show, how few of these Professorships were held by gentlemen of the Roman Catholic persuasion. He would withdraw the first part of his motion, but he trusted that the House would not object to the second part.

Sir R. Peel

still objected to a return of the emoluments of the officers of the University, who were paid by fees, and not by a public grant.

Mr. Wyse

said, he would withdraw his Motion, with the view to its alteration.

Motion withdrawn.

House adjourned to Monday the 15th of April.