HC Deb 30 May 1881 vol 261 cc1660-1
MR. BERESFORD HOPE

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he can assure the House that, in case any Theological Colleges in Ireland are empowered to grant degrees in divinity provision shall be made that such degrees shall only be given to persons who have already graduated in arts at some University, so as to ensure an adequate standard of literary proficiency on the part of persons graduating in divinity?

MR. GLADSTONE

There is a plan before the Government for constituting a body in Ireland for granting degrees in Divinity in connection with the Presbyterian Communion. I am not able to say the precise security we shall take that the degrees shall be granted in connection with a proper standard of attainment in other matters; but the subject is well worthy of consideration, and will be duly weighed.