MR. BLACKETTsaid, the House had, no doubt, seen in the newspapers a peti- 1112 tion containing the draught of a new constitution for the University of Oxford as proposed by the authorities of the University. He wished, in consequence, to ask the noble Lord the Member for London whether that proposed scheme had been submitted to Her Majesty's Government, and whether the Government intended to sanction it?
§ LORD JOHN RUSSELLSir, let me first say, in answer to the question of the hon. Gentleman, that I think the Hebdomadal Board of Oxford deserve credit for the pains they have taken to explain their scheme for the improvement of the constitution of the University of Oxford; but, with regard to the petition to which the hon. Gentleman has referred, I have to say that Her Majesty's Government, having taken the proposed constitution into consideration, have thought it their duty to come to the decision—and my noble Friend near me, the Secretary of State for the Home Department, has signified the same to the Chancellor of the University—that Her Majesty could not be advised to assent to the proposal for granting a licence in favour of the draught of the constitution as proposed by the Hebdomadal Board.
§ MR. WALPOLEsaid, he should be glad to know whether the communications which had passed between the Secretary of State and the University and Colleges would be laid on the table of the House?
§ LORD JOHN RUSSELLI think I stated some days ago that the correspondence would be laid on the table of the House when completed, and prior to the discussion on the subject.