HC Deb 10 March 1892 vol 2 cc543-4
MR. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in the event of the Draft Charter of the Gresham University being referred back to the Privy Council, it is understood that it will be brought before a Royal Commission?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

The answer to my hon. Friend is in the affirmative. It is not possible to refer this Charter back to the Royal Commission. All that can be done is to refer it back to the Privy Council; and if that be done, as I trust it will, it must be on the understanding that it will be subsequently referred to the Royal Commission. The Commission, however, must be a new Commission, because the old Commission has come to an end. Care will be taken to make the Commission a stronger one; but my answer must not be taken as indicating that the members of the old Commission are not to be asked to serve again.

SIR ALBERT ROLLIT

Will the whole question of University education in London be referred to the Commission?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I think that would be too large a question. I think the inquiry should be confined to the establishment of a teaching University in London on a broad basis, and in accordance with the views of the House.

MR. J. STUART (Shoreditch, Hoxton)

If the Commission is dissatisfied with the present proposal, will they have power to make a new proposal themselves?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Very full powers will be given to the Commission. It will be a vain machine if it has no power to make a proposal.

SIR HENRY ROSCOE (Manchester, S.)

Will the Commission have power to inquire into the arrangements made by the examining University?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I think it would be a misfortune to interfere with the existing examining University. The object of the House generally is to obtain a teaching University worthy of this great centre, and I do not think we should gain by adding to the labours of the Commission an inquiry into the examining University.

MR. A. ACLAND

Will the right hon. Gentleman propose any Motion on the subject to the House?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Some Motion must be accepted to-night, because the Draft Charter is on the Table of the House, land must be got rid of in some way or other. The Motion to be accepted by the House ought, of course, to be drawn in conformity with the answer I have given.

MR. MORTON (Peterborough)

Does the hon. Member for Islington propose to bring on his Motion to-night?

MR. BARTLEY

Yes; I propose to bring it on at 12 o'clock.