§ MR. O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, If he can state to the House if any action has been 183 taken by the Senate of the Queen's University in Ireland upon the charge of unauthorised assumption of a University degree recently brought by a Professor and Member of the Council of Queen's College, Galway, against one of his colleagues in the Council and Professoriate?
§ MR. J. LOWTHERI understand that the case referred to in the hon. Gentleman's Question is that of a Professor of Queen's College, Galway, who assumed, without authority, a degree of the University of Dublin. The assumption of unauthorized degrees and titles is, I am afraid, by no means an exceptional instance. The assumption of foreign titles, and even of titles of British nobility, have been frequently brought under public notice within the past few years; and with respect to the dignity of Baronet, it has been suggested that the introduction of an Act of Parliament was necessary for the restriction of it. I am not prepared to say how far the unauthorized assumption of any title of dignity is, in itself, an indictable offence; but in this particular instance the object, I understand, of the assumption of the degree was rather of a social than of a pecuniary nature. It, therefore, appears to me that it is rather a matter between the person himself and the University authorities; and, as at present advised, the Government are not prepared to take any action on the subject.