§ MR. FAWCETT moved that the Speaker leave the Chair in order that he might, in Committee of the Whole House, move that leave be given to bring in a Bill to abolish Tests and to alter the constitution of the Governing Body in Trinity College and the University, Dublin.
§ Resolved, That this House will immediately resolve itself into a Committee to consider the abolition of Tests and the alteration of the constitution of the Governing Body in Trinity College and the University, Uublin.—(Mr. Fawcett.)
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair."
§ MR. HERONopposed the Motion, on the ground that as the measure vitally affected Ireland, it ought to have been introduced by the Government and not by a private Member. He opposed the Motion because it was not altogether sincere, and because the Bill was one that ought to be introduced by the Government. If Trinity College were made a national college as was proposed the result would be that no Catholic College or University would be established in Ireland, and, much as he respected the senior and junior Member for Trinity College, he objected to having the Catholic education of that country unrepresented in that House.
§ MR. FAWCETTsaid, he thought it would have been better if the hon. and learned Member had reserved the observations on the Bill until its provisions had been explained to the House. What it proposed to do was simply to abolish all tests in Trinity College. It was similar in that respect to the Bill which had passed the House with reference to the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, only that it was more liberal, inasmuch as, in the case of Trinity College, there 1164 were no clerical fellowships to be dealt with. He proposed to give free and immediate representation in the governing body to the Roman Catholics. The Bill had obtained the support of the leading members of the University of Dublin, and, if not passed in this Session, it would, should it obtain the approval of the House, facilitate legislation in next year.
MR. GLADSTONEsaid, he had always stated that the higher education of Ireland required the attention of Parliament, so as to apply to it those principles of religions equality that had been applied to the Church of Ireland. He did not, therefore, take any objection to the action now taken by the hon. Member for Brighton, though he reserved full liberty to deal with the plan as seemed best when it was before them.
§ MR. PLUNKETsaid, that the proposed Bill received the perfect acquiescence of the authorities of the University of Dublin. He would say on their behalf that they were most sincerely anxious to remove the last trace of religious tests in the University. Their intention was faithfully and fully to carry out the policy of opening the University to all comers, but they could not do this without an Act of Parliament, and that was the reason why this Bill should be introduced. As to the other part of the Bill—the additions to be made to the Governing Body—if Roman Catholics and other Dissenters were to be admitted into the Governing Body they must either win their way like those who at present enjoyed that honour by open competition and through the college course, or be nominated by the Government of the country; and against such nomination he most distinctly protested.
§ SIR DOMINIC CORRIGAN, as Vice Chancellor of the Queen's University, said, he should oppose the introduction of the Bill without giving any opinion on the principle involved in it.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Debate be now adjourned."—(Mr. Brady.)
§ Question put.
§ The House divided:—Ayes 14; Noes 102: Majority 88.
§ Main Question, "That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair," put, and agreed to.
1165§ Matter considered in Committee.
§ (In the Committee)
§ Resolved, That the Chairman be directed to move the House, that leave be given to bring in a Bill to abolish Tests and to alter the constitution of the Governing Body in Trinity College and the University, Dublin.
§ Resolution reported:—Bill ordered to be brought in by Mr. FAWCETT, Mr. PLUNKET, Dr. LYON PLAYFAIR, and Viscount CRICHTON.
§ Bill presented, and read the first time. [Bill 226.]