§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that more than one-third of the entire income of Trinity College, Dublin, is absorbed by eight individuals, the Provost and senior Fellows of the college, of the average age of seventy-one years, who have long since ceased to take part in the tuition of the college; and whether, having regard to the undoubted dissatisfaction of the Protestant section of the population of Ireland with this mismanagement of public funds, the Government intend to take any, and if so what, steps to make the income of Trinity College, Dublin, of greater benefit to the advancement of education in Ireland.
(Answered by Mr. Atkinson.) The hon. Member's Question has been referred to the Provost of Trinity College, who has replied to the effect that the statements contained in the Question are absolutely inaccurate, and he declines to answer this or any similar Question which he regards as merely the vehicle of unfounded and unjust charges against the institution over which he presides. The Government has neither the power, nor the desire, to compel him to answer such Questions. The reply to the last query is in the negative.