§ MR. GLADSTONEsaid, that seeing the hon. Member for North Lancashire in his place, he begged to ask him what his intentions were with regard to the adjourned debate (upon the English and Irish Universities), which stood upon the Orders of the Day for that night, but which it was certain could not come on?
§ MR. HEYWOODreplied, that it was not his intention to press the continuance of the debate, as he was satisfied with the letters of the noble Lord at the head of the Government to the chancellors of the universities, which had been lately published. The noble Lord had stated in those letters the object of the Royal Commission to be, to inquire into the state of the revenues of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge—into the provisions of the statutes by which their several colleges were 458 governed—and to report their opinion whether any measures could be adopted by the Crown, or the Parliament, by which the interests of religion and sound learning might be promoted in the conduct of education in the universities. Those objects were perfectly satisfactory to him (Mr. Heywood). He should, therefore, not press his Motion for the adjourned debate, but should leave the House to deal with it as they might think proper.
§ MR. GLADSTONEsuggested that, in that case, the Order of the Day should be read at once, for the purpose of adjourning the debate until Monday next; and he would give notice that he would ask the noble Lord on Monday, whether it was his intention to appoint a day for the discussion of the subject, seeing that he had a notice on the Paper of his intention to move that the question be adjourned for three months.
§ MR. SPEAKERsaid, that the right hon. Gentleman should put his question and give his notice at five o'clock. The Order of the Day could not be moved before that hour.
§ Subject dropped.