§ MR. PINKERTON (Galway)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been directed to the Ministerial pledges given by Sir James Graham, as reported in Hansard, 3rd s., vol. 80, p. 1149; and by Sir Robert Peel, as reported in Hansard, 3rd s., vol. 82, p. 368, to the effect that, in the exercise of the prerogative of the Crown, appointments to the Queen's Colleges would be made with a view of securing, if possible, the services of Catholic Professors and office-bearers in Cork and Galway, and of Presbyterians in Belfast; whether he is aware that in Galway the President, Governing Council, and office-bearers are exclusively Protestant; and, whether any steps will be taken by the responsible Advisers of the Crown to redeem the pledges referred to?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)The reply to the inquiries in the first and second paragraphs is in the affirmative. 1082 By the provisions of the existing Statutes of the College, issued in 1863, all the College offices, including that of President, were thrown open to Professors, and all these offices are now held by Professors. The appointments were made by Government on the ground of long service, as well of personal fitness. The senior Roman Catholic Professor is junior by many years, in age and in service, to the latest appointed office-bearer.