§ MR. MOWBRAYsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Why the evidence taken by the Durham University Commissioners was not laid before Parliament on July 22, 1862, when the ordinances framed by the Commissioners, and dated June 30, were presented; whether he will forthwith lay a copy of such evidence before Parliament; and whether, as the Durham University Act, 1861, allows Parliament a period of forty days for the consideration of the ordinances before Her Majesty can be advised to declare her approval of the same, he will undertake that full and sufficient time shall be allowed to Parliament for the consideration of the evidence before Her Majesty shall be advised to signify her approval of the ordinances?
§ SIR GEORGE GREYreplied, that it was required by the Act of Parliament that the ordinances framed by the Commissioners should be laid before Parliament, but it was not so as to the evidence. In the cases of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, the evidence was not laid before Parliament. The Government had no direct control over the proceedings of the Commissioners, some of whom were 187 Members of that House, but he did not apprehend that the Commissioners would have the slightest objection to afford the information the right hon. Gentleman desired. They had in fact, as he was informed, sent the evidence last year to the authorities of the University. The ordinances were laid upon the table on the 22nd of July last, and therefore twenty-four of the forty days during which they must be before Parliament before confirmation were unexpired at the beginning of this Session. Petitions had been presented against the ordinances, which would be referred to a Committee of the Privy Council, and ample time would be given for the consideration of the objections raised by the Petitioners.