HC Deb 08 August 1893 vol 15 cc1547-8
MR. STANLEY LEIGHTON (Shropshire, Oswestry)

I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education whether Mr. O. M. Edwards, M.A., was sent by him to visit and report upon the four Welsh Colleges of Bangor, Aberystwith, Lampeter, and Cardiff, with a view to the establishment of a Welsh University with constituent Colleges; whether Mr. Edwards reported in favour of the inclusion of Lampeter; and whether he will lay the Report upon the Table?

THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (Mr. ACLAND, YORK, W.R., Rotherham)

Mr. Edwards was invited to draw up a Report upon the whole question of a University for Wales. His visits, which were left entirely to his own discretion, included the Four Colleges mentioned and several other places. The Report was made solely for the use of Members of the Government, and for the Committee of the Privy Council, which considered the Draft Charter. I do not propose to lay it on the Table, but I am quite willing to inform the hon. Member that in the Report, which consisted mainly of information rather than recommendations, Mr. Edwards did not report in favour of the inclusion of St. David's College, Lampeter.

MR. STANLEY LEIGHTON

I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education if he can inform the House what will be the cost of establishing a Welsh University, and how the cost will be provided?

MR. ACLAND

I am not able to say what would be the cost of establishing a, Welsh University. No doubt part of the cost would be defrayed from fees. The question of a State grant, such as is given, for instance, to Victoria University, has not yet been formally raised.

MR. STANLEY LEIGHTON

Will the right hon. Gentleman lay on the Table the Report of Lord Aberdare's Committee on the same points?

MR. ACLAND

Lord Aberdare's Committee reported under very different circumstances. The Report is in the Library. I am not aware it is out of print.

VISCOUNT CRANBORNE (Rochester)

Has the right hon. Gentleman any intention of establishing a Welsh University?

MR. ACLAND

The Charter is on the Table of both Houses.