§ SIR ROBERT PEELsaid, he would beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, What changes are contemplated in the charter and constitution of the Queen's University and Queen's Colleges in Ireland, and whether it is the intention of the Government fully to inform the House before proceeding with any measure involving a departure from the present system of University Education in that country?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERIn reply to the Question of my right hon. Friend, I had better perhaps first say—the Question in its terms including the Queen's Colleges along with the Queen's University—that no changes whatever are contemplated in the charter and constitution of the Queen's Colleges. With respect to the changes contemplated in the charter and constitution of the Queen's University, I may best describe them by saying they are such as were indicated and explained towards the close of the last Session of Parliament in the speech of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department, having for their object to qualify persons who have received their education in institutions where a particular or exclusive religion is taught to take degrees in the Queen's University, and likewise to make some arrangements for the purpose of obviating and removing jealousies and securing confidence with respect to those degrees. In reference to the last part of the Question of my right hon. Friend, of course I cannot say that it would be in our power to keep the House informed of those steps severally before proceeding with them, although I am by no means prepared to say that they involve a departure from the present system of University education in Ireland. But I can pledge myself that the charter and the Correspondence will both be presented to this House at the very earliest moment 812 in the power of the Government; and, indeed, with regard to the Correspondence, some of it is already prepared for presentation, and is about to be moved for by an hon. Member.
§ SIR ROBERT PEELWill my right hon. Friend say that the charter of the Queen's University will not be altered without being brought under the notice and knowledge of this House?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERImmediately that any charter varying from the present shall be issued it will be brought to the knowledge of this House.
§ MR. LOWEDo I understand my right hon. Friend to say that the change will take place without this House having an opportunity of expressing an opinion upon it?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI apprehend that the proceeding, such as I have indicated it, will be in conformity with the universal practice of the executive Government, enabling the responsible Advisers of the Crown to give that advice which they think most for the public interest. They will, upon their own responsibility, make known that advice to the House of Commons, fully admitting the right of the House to call them to account.
§ SIR ROBERT PEELMy right hon. Friend has not answered the Question. What I wish to ask is this—has no alteration at the present moment taken place in the charter of the Queen's University? That is done by the Sign Manual of the Sovereign. Has it not been done, will it not he done, without first laying before the House the grounds which the Government have for altering the present system of liberal and united education to one of a sectarian and denominational character?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERThat alteration has not been effected. With respect to the rest, I must refer my right hon. Friend to the answer I have already given.