§ MR. C. J. O'DONNELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any public or academic body in Ireland has expressed approval of those provisions of the Irish Universities Bill which exclude non-resident or extern students from the advantage of taking a degree, now secured to them in the Royal University and in Trinity College; whether the Convocation of the Royal University and the Association of Catholic Graduates, in public meeting assembled, have by Resolution condemned this exclusion; and whether he will lay upon the Table these Resolutions; and if he can state any special reason for excluding poor young Irishmen from advantages given to poor young Englishmen by the University of London and other Universities in England.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe question whether extern students should or should not be admitted to degrees is one of a highly argumentative nature which I do not propose to discuss by way of Question and Answer. The hon. Member will have full opportunity of raising this question in the debate upon the Report stage to-day or to-morrow.
§ MR. C. J. O'DONNELLDoes the Tight hon. Gentleman think it possible adequately to discuss this question in the course of the two days allowed?
§ MR. BIRRELLYes, Sir.