HC Deb 16 August 1881 vol 265 cc41-2
MR. T. P. O'CONNOR

wished to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, At what hour he intended to proceed with the Royal University of Ireland Bill? He (Mr. O'Connor) gave a pledge that morning that he would not put any further Question on the subject; but he had heard something since as to the very bad character of the scheme the Government had put forward, which had very much tempted him to break that pledge if it were possible to do it. He wished to know if the right hon. Gentleman would give an opportunity to have the scheme fully discussed? He suggested that the Bill should be taken at 11 o'clock tonight, or put down as the first Order for to-morrow. He certainly did not think the Prime Minister was treating the Irish Members fairly.

MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Member is going beyond the Question.

MR. W. E. FORSTER

said, he should not think of pushing on the Bill at a late hour to-night if there was a strong feeling against that course. As to placing it first on the Orders for tomorrow, the hon. Member must be aware that at this time of Session the paramount feeling of the House was to proceed with Supply. He repeated, that as far as the lateness of the Session would permit he would give every opportunity for the discussion of the Bill; but he did not suppose that Members could be kept together for this Bill; and if it had to be postponed, he would throw the responsibility on those who offered prolonged opposition to the measure.

MR. GLADSTONE

wished to say, with regard to a remark which had fallen from the hon. Member for Gal-way, that he never suggested or intended to suggest that the action of the Irish Members should be limited to tomorrow. But, seeing that they had taken the Land Law (Ireland) Bill at 12 o'clock, it was no disparagement to proceed with the Irish Estimates tomorrow.

MR. MITCHELL HENRY

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman had considered the very great importance of the Bill, the immense disappointment, and the injury to education that there would be if this Bill were not carried through?

MR. T. P. O'CONNOR

asked if the right hon. Gentleman was not aware that the highest and best educational authorities had represented that the scheme passed by the Senate of the Royal University would give large bribes to religious bodies, but would do nothing whatever for the real interests of education?

MR. W. E. FORSTER

said, he was not aware of that. It was a matter which would require a good deal of discussion. They should have to decide who were the highest and best educational authorities to begin with—not by any means an easy matter. He was certainly sensible of the great disappointment and injury which would be caused by a postponement of the measure; and he hoped the responsibility in the matter would be felt by Members from Ireland as well as by the Government.

MR. O'DONNELL

intimated that he would withdraw his opposition to the Bill, as he was satisfied that no opportunity for discussing it properly could be obtained this Session. The measure could be discussed next year.