§ MR. BERESFORD HOPEasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether there is any foundation for the statement contained in the "Times" of Saturday the 9th, that the draft Charter of the proposed Victoria University contains powers for deferring degrees upon females; and, whether, if the statement be accurate, any opportunity will be afforded for Parliament to pronounce an opinion upon this innovation upon the ancient system of academic degrees, as well as upon other provisions which may be contained in the draft Charter?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, the draft Charter which has been submitted by the promoters of the Victoria University contains a proposal to give power to grant degrees to women as well as to men. That draft Charter has been submitted to the Committee of the Privy Council, and is now under consideration. As my hon. Friend 671 is, no doubt, aware, it is provided by a recent Act that it will be necessary for the Charter to lie on the Table of the House for a month before it can be granted.