§ On Motion of The LORD ADVOCATE, Bill for the better Administration and Endowment of the Universities of Scotland, ordered to be brought in by The LORD ADVOCATE, Secretary Sir WILLIAM HARCOURT, and Mr. SOLICITOR GENERAL for SCOTLAND. Bill presented, and read the first time. [Bill 116.]
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORsaid, he should like to ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman whether the object of this Bill was to enlarge any of the endowments of the existing Universities of Scotland; and, if so, for what purpose?
THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR)The Bill is identical as regards the endowments with the measure of last year.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORDoes it increase the amount?
THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR)It is exactly the same as in the Bill of last year. The alterations in the measure are merely alterations of detail.
§ MR. WARTONFrom what source do these endowments come?
THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR)They come from the same source as before. For two years the Bill has proposed the same thing.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORBefore the second reading is fixed, I should like to ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman whether he will give the House a good many days to consider it, to give it an opportunity of looking into the measure?
THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR)Certainly; I will fix the second reading for the 20th of April.