§ MR. WALTER LONG (Dublin, S)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Treasury have signified their concurrence in the proposal made to them by the late Government in favour of an additional endowment for the Queen's Colleges at Belfast and Cork; and, if so, what provision is proposed to be made for the purpose in the Estimates for 1906–7.
§ MR. MCKENNAA sum of £5,400 is being taken in the Estimates for 1906–7 for buildings at Queen's College, Belfast, conditionally on an equal sum being appropriated to the same purpose from funds raised by public subscription. The case of Queen's College, Cork, will be considered if the same condition is satisfied; but no scheme for new buildings at Cork has yet been matured, and I am not aware that any local contributions have been promised. It is therefore not proposed to make any provision for Cork in the Estimates for 1906–7, except a small sum for minor improvements.
§ MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)asked whether it was not the fact that the late Prime Minister and the right hon. Member for Dover when Chief Secretary stated that they could not approve additional endowments for the 1317 Queen's College in Belfast, except as part of the general settlement of the University question which would provide additional facilities for the University education of the Roman Catholics of Ireland.
§ MR. MCKENNAThe hon. Member is correct in what he says, but the change was made by the right hon. Member for South Dublin. I believe that £72,000 was subscribed in Belfast.