HC Deb 17 August 1893 vol 16 cc436-7
MR.TOMLINSON

I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education whether, under the constitution of the University College of Bangor, there is any person or authority filling the office of Visitor; and whether, before the grant of £4,000 is voted by Parliament for the support of the College, he will take steps to secure that a Visitorial Inquiry shall be held into the grounds for the withdrawal from Miss Hughes of her licence to keep a hall in the College?

MR. ACLAND

There is no person or authority filling the office of Visitor at University College, Bangor. With reference to the latter part of the question, I can only repeat the reply given to a similar inquiry on the 14th instant namely, that I do not think that the fact that the College receives a Treasury grant of £4,000 provides any justification for the Government to undertake an inquiry or demand an inquiry in a matter which appears to be one of internal discipline.

MR. TOMLINSON

Is it not an exceptional thing for a College to have no Visitor? Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to get one provided?

MR. ACLAND

That raises the question of the Charter granted to the College. I have no doubt there are a good many instances in modern times where no Visitor has been appointed.

MR. TOMLINSON

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to have one appointed in this case?

MR. ACLAND

I do not think it necessary to provide Visitors for these Colleges, which are going on very well.

MR. STANLEY LEIGHTON (Shropshire, Oswestry)

The right hon. Gentleman says the Colleges are going on well; but is that not the fact that the Duke of Westminster, Lord Penrhyn, and other persons of distinction have withdrawn in consequence of the false position taken by the Senate and the Council?

MR. KENYON (Denbigh, &c.)

Are there not on the same side of politics as the gentlemen named others of equal standing ready to take the places of those who have withdrawn?

MR. ACLAND

I know nothing of the alleged withdrawals, but I quite believe that, if they have taken place, other gentlemen of position on the same side of politics will easily be found to fill the vacancies.