§ MR. WHALLEYasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether there is any prospect of the Government adopting, during the Recess, any measures relating to Public Education in Ireland, in furtherance of the views of the deputation lately received by him on the subject of a Roman Catholic University; and, whether he is prepared to state that no resort shall be had for such purposes to the prerogative of Her Majesty?
MR. GLADSTONESir, I have to thank my hon. Friend for giving me Notice of his intention to put this Question, and also for putting it, because I see from the terms in which it is couched that some misapprehension dwells in his mind, and may dwell also in the minds of others. The deputation which I lately received from Ireland did not come to me on the subject of a Roman Catholic University. They placed in my hands documents stating in general terms their view on the subject of education generally; but I am doubtful whether 847 they did so much as to read that document at the time when it was presented. It was understood by them to be merely an opportunity for placing in the hands of the Government a statement of their views, and they did not ask from the Government any statement whatever, nor, as far as my memory goes, did I convey to them anything very material, further than an assurance that our conduct in the future would be governed by the same principles as those which had guided it in the past, and that it would be conformable to our previous declarations. The hon. Gentleman says he puts the latter portion of his Question partly with reference to what happened in the year 1866. In that year the Prerogative of Her Majesty was made use of with reference to the higher education in Ireland; but that was not done without documents having been previously laid upon the Table of this House, nor without what the Government believed to be a full declaration of their intention, although I am aware that, with respect to that declaration, a misunderstanding which was very deeply to be regretted occurred at the time. But the question at that period before the Government related only to the Queen's University in Ireland and to the Queen's Colleges in Ireland. Since the disestablishment of the Church the question of the position of Dublin University and College has not only been brought within the scope of the general subject, but has even come to constitute the principal and leading portion of it. Now, that could not be dealt with under any circumstances except by Act of Parliament. Consequently, it has become a matter for the consideration of Parliament, and I cannot anticipate any circumstances under which it would be becoming or expedient that the question of University Education in Ireland should be dealt with by Prerogative apart from a resort to Parliament; and most unquestionably it will never be done without a clear indication of Parliament in the first instance with a view of expressing its opinion. I hope I have answered the hon. Gentleman's Question explicitly. I will also take this opportunity of offering an explanation with regard to the speech delivered by me on Wednesday last. I learn that after I had been obliged to leave the House a portion of that speech was understood—I know not by what mental process—to 848 convey to the House an intention on the part of Her Majesty's Government not to endow a Roman Catholic University in Ireland, but to propose the endowment of a Roman Catholic College in Ireland. My speech contained no reference whatever to a Roman Catholic College, and the reason why it contained no such reference was that the subject of the endowment of a Roman Catholic College in Ireland has never, as far as I am aware, been brought before the Government in any shape. If it has been brought under their notice, the circumstance has entirely escaped my recollection. No such intention, I believe, has ever been entertained.