§ SIR ROPER LETHBRIDGE (Kensington, N.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether any proposals for the abolition of the Kishnaghur State College have been made by the Lieutenant Governor of Bengal; whether he is aware that, both on the occasion of the foundation of the College and again in 1874–6, large sums of money were subscribed by the Maharajah of Nuddea and other residents in the district for the endowment of the College, and that these sums of money were made over to the Government on the faith that the district would permanently enjoy the advantage of a first-grade State College; and whether the Government of Bengal will be instructed to take no irrevocable step in the matter until it has been submitted to the judgment of the Secretary of State in Council.
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Mr. CURZON,) Lancashire, SouthportIn accordance with the recommendations of the Education Commission, the Local Municipality was asked to take over the management of the Kishnaghur College, with a grant in aid; but refused the 1287 offer. It is, however, still hoped that the transfer of the College to local management may be effected, and it would be premature to contemplate the abolition of the College. The Government accepted an endowment of Rs. 40,000 raised by public subscription for the support of a B.A. class. In the event of the closing of the class, it would be necessary for the Government to deal with the question of the endowment. The subject is receiving very careful consideration in India; and the Secretary of State sees no reason for issuing any special instructions.