§ MR. C. HARRISON (Plymouth)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Government intend to proceed, this Session, with the University of London Commission Bill, having regard to the fact that it proposes fundamental changes in the constitution of the University, and has been introduced without consulting the members of Convocation, who at present enjoy the chartered right of approving or disapproving any new or supplemental charter, and is strongly opposed on the 1484 part of the graduates of the University, besides materially differing from the recommendations of the Cowper Commission?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI am informed that the leading members of Convocation have been consulted and support the Bill. As to opposition of the graduates, my information is that the majority of this body are in favour of the scheme. The modification in the recommendations of the Cowper Commission do not vary from the principle of the Report, and is supported by the Chairman of Convocation and every responsible body connected with the University. That constitutes a very large body of support behind the Bill, and I confess I should very greatly regret if opposition in this House should prevent its being passed into law in the course of the present Session.
§ *SIR C. DILKEgave notice that on the Second Reading of the London University Bill he would move that this House declines to proceed with the Bill in the present Session, inasmuch as Convocation of London University has not yet assented to its provisions in their present form.