§ MR. JUSTIN M'CARTHYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the Government are prepared to grant the Returns with regard to the Queen's Colleges (Ireland) and the Royal University (Ireland), which are specified in a Motion in the Order Book of the House?
§ MR. TREVELYANWhen I announced a few days ago the decision of the Government to appoint a small Commission to inquire into matters connected with the Queen's Colleges, I stated that the terms of Reference would cover all the points mentioned in the Notice to which the hon. Member refers, and I expressed a hope that the Returns would not be pressed for. I shall take 463 care that all these notices shall be laid before the Commission, and I have given personal assurance in that respect to the hon. Members.
§ MR. JUSTIN M'CARTHYWill the right hon. Gentleman give the Returns?
§ MR. TREVELYANI am afraid I shall be obliged to contest the Returns on the part of the Government.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORWhy?
§ MR. TREVELYANI have stated the reasons. You cannot expect that the College authorities will undergo at the same time an inquiry for the House of Commons and an inquiry by a Royal Commission. I can give other reasons showing that these Returns would be extremely difficult to collect in any other way than by means of a Commission. Some of the information could not be officially given, and could only be given in reply to a Question. I shall take care that every information asked for in these Returns shall be given by the Commission.
§ MR. SEXTONWho are to be the Members?
§ MR. TREVELYANWe are carefully endeavouring to select proper gentlemen for the purpose. Several gentlemen have been communicated with.
MR. O'BRIENWill the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that the Commission will report before the Queen's Colleges Vote comes on?
§ MR. TREVELYANI gave an undertaking some time ago that before the Vote is asked for I will inform the House of the progress made.
§ MR. SEXTONWhen will the names of the Commissioners be announced?
§ MR. TREVELYANWe are not in a position as yet to state. I hope to be able to state it on Tuesday or Wednesday, but it might be possible to state them to-morrow.