§ MR. M'LARENasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the recently published Correspondence between the Treasury and the principal of 321 the University of Edinburgh respecting the Parliamentary Grant intended to be proposed in aid of local subscriptions for erecting new and enlarged class-rooms and other subsidiary buildings to accommodate the greatly increased number of students now attending the medical school of Edinburgh, Whether provision will be made in such buildings for teaching female medical students separately from males; and, if no decision has been come to on the subject, whether there would be any objection on the part of Her Majesty's Government to refer the question as to the expediency of providing such accommodation to the University Commission now sitting in Edinburgh to report their opinion thereon?
THE LORD ADVOCATEThe Government, in making the grant in question, had not in view the making of provision for teaching female medical students separately from males. The addition to the University buildings was planned, and has been, so far, carried out by the University themselves. They had obtained large subscriptions for the purpose, and the plans were settled long before any application was made to the Government for a grant. The grant is simply one in aid of the building fund. The Government feel satisfied that the University have already obtained a large sum of money by private subscriptions, and are further satisfied that the grant will enable them to complete the undertaking. When the proposed plans are completed a large amount of accommodation will be added to the University. The subject is one for the consideration of the University authorities, and I cannot say that the expediency of providing accommodation for female medical students is a proper matter to refer to the Commissioners.