SIR MANCHERJEE BHOWNAG-GREEI beg to ask the Secretary of State for India if he has arrived at any decision on the Report of the Committee appointed to inquire as to the necessity or otherwise of maintaining any longer the Royal Indian Engineering College at Coopers Hill; whether his Council is unanimously in favour of continuing it, or any members dissent; and whether, if it is decided to maintain the institution, will he issue instructions for the entire removal of the restrictions which at present limit the admission of the natives of India to the college and their full enjoyment of its privileges.
§ MR. BRODRICKI propose shortly to lay Papers on the Table relating to the question of the further maintenance of Coopers Hill College, including the Report of the Committee which sat last year. In consequence of the strong recommendation of that Committee and the evidence brought before them that efficient candidates for the Public Works Department in India can be provided by other engineering colleges at a less cost to the candidates and to the Indian Government, it has been decided to close the college. No decision, however, has yet been arrived at as to the date of closing, and all possible consideration will be shown to those concerned.
§ MR. BRODRICKwas understood to reply in the negative.