§ *SIR W. J. COLLINSI beg to ask the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the inadequate accommodation at present provided by Government for the University of London at South Kensington; and whether additional accommodation can be placed at the disposal of the University proportionate to the increased duties which have been entrusted to the University by statute.
§ MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSEMy right hon. friend has asked me to answer this Question. In view of the liberal provision made for the University in the years 1899–1901, I cannot hold out any hope that an extension of the existing accommodation can be provided at the public expense.
§ *SIR W. J. COLLINSWill the right hon. Gentleman be willing to receive from the University further representations on the subject?
§ MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSECertainly.
§ *SIR PHILIP MAGNUS (London University)asked whether the hon. Gentleman was aware that the University was at present housed in only part of 1258 the building known as the Imperial Institute, and whether he would consider the advisability of placing the whole of it at the disposal of the University.
§ MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSEsaid that he could hardly be expected to answer that Question off-hand, but he might state that the accommodation now provided was very much larger than that which the University had in Burlington-gardens.
§ *SIR W. J. COLLINSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the University was reconstituted by Act of Parliament which abrogated its charter, and that since then its work has greatly extended?
§ MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSEYes, Sir; I am aware of that, but I am also aware of the fact that a considerably increased money provision was made for it when it was transferred from Burlington-gardens to the present site.
§ *SIR W. J. COLLINSBefore the reconstitution.