HC Deb 24 March 1904 vol 132 c638
MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury on whose advice was the prerogative of the Crown exercised infilling up the appointment to the Provostship of Trinity College, Dublin; and under what Vote can the advice so given be subjected to Parliamentary comment and criticism.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

The responsibility rests wholly with me, and it is the privilege of the hon. Gentleman to move the reduction of my salary if he disapproves of the advice which I have given.

CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork Co., E.)

Was the appointment made in recognition of Dr. Traill's eminent services to education or was it made in recognition of his services to the Landlords' Convention.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I am not sure that it is a good precedent to cross-examine a Minister of the Crown as to the ground of the advice that ho has given, but I may say that Dr. Traill's connection with the Landlords' Convention never entered the head either of myself or of anybody else in connection with the appointment.

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

Are we entitled to assume that the appointment of Dr. Traill gives any indication of the view of the Government on University education.

[No answer was returned.]

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

indicated that he would raise the question on the Vote for the salary of the First Lord of the Treasury.