HC Deb 27 February 1860 vol 156 cc1906-7

Order for Second Reading read.

MR. WHITESIDE

said, he rose to move the Second Reading of this Bill, which was intended to restore the University of Dublin the power of granting licences in surgery, which the University possessed 300 years ago, and which was omitted, he believed, by an accidental omission in the late Act for regulating medical degrees.

Motion made and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."

MR. CRAUFURD

said, he should oppose the Bill, as he objected to any attempt to tinker up the general Act of 1858.

Amendment proposed, to leave out the word "now," and at the end of the Question to add the words "upon this day six months."

MR. CARDWELL

said, the object of the Bill was to supply a casus omissus in the original Bill. He hoped the House would read the Bill a second time.

THE LORD ADVOCATE

opposed the Bill, on the ground that it was an unnecessary innovation upon the principle laid down in 1858. It was likely to interfere with the proceedings of the Edinburgh School of Surgery.

MR. WHITESIDE

said, he could not understand why Scotch Members should he so much interested in a measure that did not concern them. The original Act was not intended to interfere with the power possessed by any existing body to grant degrees which they at present conferred. It happened, however, that in the schedule appended to the Act the degree of "licentiate in surgery," which was granted by the University of Dublin, was accidentally omitted. The consequence was that several young gentlemen had won appointments as surgeons in the army and other departments by competitive examination, but they could not get a licence from their University.

MR. VANCE

said, that last year he was instructed to oppose the Bill, but he was not on the present occasion. He was not aware whether there was any objection to it, but he thought the alteration ought to be confined to Dublin University.

MR. LEFROY

said, he should support the Bill, as it applied to no other College in Ireland than that of Dublin.

MR. COWPER

said, he did not exactly understand the case made out in favour of the Bill, but he thought it should be referred to the medical council to enable them to petition the House for or against it.

MR. KINNAIRD

considered it very unfair to press the Bill to a division at a late hour of the night, after Members had gone away in the expectation that no opposition would be taken.

Question, "That the word 'now' stand part of the Question," put, and agreed to.

Main Question put, and agreed to.

Bill read 2°, and committed for Monday next.

House adjourned at One o'clock.