§ MR. J. W. SIDEBOTHAM (Cheshire, Hyde)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether his attention has been called to an advertisement in a daily paper offering to confer degrees (in absentiâ) on gentlemen of undoubted character and ability; whether he is aware that the advertisement is inserted on behalf of a so-called National University of Chicago, which has for its agents here a Mr. Mendel, of Lee, and a Mr. Horn, who carries on this traffic at Manchester, Preston (at several addresses), and Jermyn Street, London, and who, according to his circular, offers degrees in the Faculties of Divinity, Law, Literature, Philosophy, Arts, and Music; and that a letter has been received by an inquirer from the Chancellor of the Institution to the effect that if the council fee of five dollars were forwarded, together with a recommendation from the agent, Mendel, a degree will be conferred; and whether there is any such institution in the United States known as the National University of Chicago, and if the Government will consider whether any steps can be taken to stop this alien interference with the duties and prerogatives of our authorised Universities?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI understand the Question of my hon. Friend refers to certain bogus degrees alleged to be given or to be offered at the present time in England. Whether it is practicable or desirable to prosecute those given to granting these degrees for obtaining money under false pretences I am not sure, but I will have the matter inquired into. I am not aware whether there is any other method of dealing with it.