§ SIR GEORGE BARTLEY (Islington, N.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether Section 3, Sub-section (a), of the Ireland Development Grant Bill would enable the Government of the day to establish a Roman Catholic University for Ireland and endow it with the whole or part of the £185,000 a year by simply laying the scheme before the House of Commons for a period of not less than thirty days, and without the scheme being brought before Parliament as a Bill and discussed and carried through the various stages necessary before any measure can become an Act of Parliament.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe Chief Secretary undertook some weeks ago to amend the provision referred to in such a way as to secure the discussion in the House, at a convenient hour, of any positive vote in favour of any proposal, 226 prior to its taking effect. Therefore, it is not open to my hon. friend's criticism. But I would add that anything of such enormous importance and interest as the subject referred to by the hon. Member could not be dealt with even by Resolution before twelve o'clock.
§ SIR GEORGE BARTLEYIf this large sum of money is not to be used except in the ordinary way, I do not see why the exceptional course was taken of placing it on the Consolidated Fund.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe Chief Secretary in his speech made out a good case for what I quite admit is an exceptional course.