§ SIR HUGH CAIRNSsaid, he wished to ask Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, Why the vacancy in the Senate of the Queen's University, Ireland, has not been filled up, and why the summonses issued to fix a day for the Convocation of the University to hold an Election for such vacancy were rescinded; whether the Government propose to ask the Senate or the Convocation to surrender the existing Charter of the University; and whether be was of opinion that it is intra vires of the Senate to make any such surrender?
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND(Mr. Lawson) said, there were now several vacancies in the Senate of the Queen's University. The number pre-scribed by the Charter was twenty-four, but not more than eighteen had been appointed. There were now two vacancies occasioned by deaths, one of which would be filled up by the Crown, and the other 139 by Convocation. He presumed the Question of the hon. and learned Gentleman referred to the vacancy to be filled up by Convocation. The Senate was the body-to summon Convocation, but he had ascertained by telegram from Dublin that day that no summonses had yet been issued, and consequently no summonses had been rescinded. With respect to the two last branches of the Question they were matters of law, and being still under the consideration of the Law Officers of the Crown, it would be premature and improper for him to pronounce any opinion upon the subject.