HC Deb 06 March 1860 vol 157 cc68-9
COLONEL SYKES

said, he rose to move for leave to introduce a Bill to amend an Act to make provision for the better Government and discipline of the Universities of Scotland, and improving and regulating the course of study therein; and for the union of the two Universities and Colleges of Aberdeen. The Commissioners under the Act of 1858 for improving the discipline of the Universities had suppressed the faculty of Arts in Marischal College. He begged to move for leave to introduce a Bill to remedy this suppression, which was felt to be a grievance by the people of Aberdeen.

MR. CUMMING BRUCE

remarked, that the Motion of the hon. and gallant Gentleman was, in effect, the casting of a most undeserved slur upon the legislative ability of that House. It was only two years since the then Lord Advocate introduced a Bill for the regulation of the Universities. The present Lord Advocate gave the measure his full concurrence. In Committee the hon. and gallant Gentleman proposed an Amendment which in substance was the same as the Bill he now proposed to introduce. That Amendment was negatived by a majority of about 100, and the Bill passed through Parliament. The Bill was scarcely in operation when the hon. and gallant Gentleman had the hardihood to move for leave to introduce a Bill to repeal it. He hoped that the House would refuse their assent to the Motion.

MR. E. ELLICE (St. Andrews)

said, when he stated that the whole public of Aberdeen, the county, the synods of the two churches—free and old—all, without exception, were against the manner in which the Commissioners under the Act of 1858 had exercised their duty—and that if the award of the Commissioners was to be carried into effect, it would be almost a war upon the whole population—he thought he had stated sufficient reasons why they should allow the Bill to be brought in.

THE LORD ADVOCATE

said, he supported the Bill of 1858, and was one of the Commissioners under it, and concurred in their ordinances, and he should therefore not be misunderstood when he recommended his hon. Friend not to throw any obstacles at this hour of the night to the introduction of the Bill; but he begged it to be distinctly understood that he did not mean to commit himself to the principle of the Bill, or promise the support of the Government to it.

MR. STEUART

said, he did not think the House was in a fit state to enter into a discussion upon this Bill. Although the hon. Member for St. Andrews said that the synods of both Churches were against the commission, he had received within the last two days a letter from an influential member of one of those synods declaring his objection to the proposed Bill because he believed it would be destructive to the education of the rural part of the population north of Aberdeen. He would move that the debate be adjourned.

SIR GEORGE LEWIS

expressed a hope that the hon. Gentleman would not persevere in his Amendment. Although it was not likely that he (Sir George Lewis) should support such a measure he should be sorry to see the Motion of the hon. and gallant General refused. If the Bill were introduced he would ask the hon. and gallant General to postpone the second reading of it until after Easter.

MR. STIRLING

said, he thought that a bonâ fide case ought to be made out for the introduction of the Bill, and he did not think such a case had been made out. He hoped, however, the hon. Member for Cambridge would withdraw his Amendment.

Motion, by leave, withdrawn.

Bill to amend an Act to make provision for the better Government and Discipline of the Universities of Scotland, and improving and regulating the course of study therein; and for the union of the two Universities and Colleges of Aberdeen, ordered to be brought in by Colonel SYKES, the Earl of MARCH, Lord HADDO, and Mr. EDWARD ELLICE.

Bill presented and read 1°.