§ MR. LONSDALEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant 1253 of Ireland whether he has had communicated to him the resolution passed by a majority at the last meeting of the Senate of the Royal University, recommending that it should be made a teaching university, with colleges adequately constituted and brought into organic connection with it; whether this resolution is in accord with the policy of the Government; and when he will be able to make a full statement of the scheme of the Government for dealing with university education in Ireland.
MR. BRYCEThe Resolution in question has been communicated to me. I am not prepared to make any statement on the subject at present.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLIS the right hon. Gentleman aware that Ireland has no teaching university of any kind?
§ [No Answer was returned.]
§ MR. LONSDALEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he is able to state the reasons given by the right hon. the Earl of Meath for his resignation of the office of Chancellor of the Royal University; and whether, in selecting his successor. the Government will make representations to the Senate with regard to the desirability of taking adequate steps to prevent a repetition of the disorderly and disloyal demonstration which occurred at the last conferment of degrees.
MR. BRYCELord Meath entertained doubts as to the competence of the Senate under the Charter of the Royal University to maintain order at the conferring of degrees; and, in consequence, he proposed that the Charter should be amended, or that he should be relieved of the responsibility of maintaining order. The Government informed Lord Meath that they were advised that the Senate had the power to maintain order and to take all steps necessary to that end; and that an amendment of the Charter for that object was, therefore, unnecessary. Lord Meath, however, continuing doubtful as to the Senate's powers, resigned the Chancellorship, to the regret of the Government.
§ MR. LONSDALEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant 1254 of Ireland, whether he can state who has been selected for the office of Chancellor of the Royal University.