§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the fact that the sole control and management of the funds and property of Trinity College, Dublin, are in the hands of the Board, which consists of eight gentlemen whose average age is close upon seventy, and who have ceased to take part in educational work, and that there is paid to these gentlemen, in addition to houses in college free of rent and taxes and free commons, sums amounting to about £14,000 per annum, being between one-third and one-fourth of the whole income of the college, the Government intend, by legislation or otherwise, to effect any, and, if so, what alteration in the government and administration of Trinity College, Dublin.
§ MR. WYNDHAMAny information that may he available with respect to the emoluments and ages of the senior Fellows of Trinity College is as accessible to the hon. Member as it is to me. I am unable to say whether the emolument s amount to the sum stated; but even assuming that they do, it cannot fairly be urged that these gentlemen are overpaid having regard to their intellectual attainments; to the fact that they won their fellowships in open competition; and that they have lived for the greater part of their lives on very moderate incomes derived almost entirely from students' fees before their election as senior Fellows. The reply to the second part of the Question is in the negative.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLHas the right hon. Gentleman received any communication from some of the Provosts of Trinity College urging that an investigation should take place?
§ MR. WYNDHAMNo, I have not.