§ MR. J. MURPHYTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the senates of the proposed Universities would have power under the Universities Bill as it stands to make any provisions, by statute or otherwise, dealing with the extern students or with students who have partially passed their examinations as extern students at the present time; and, if not, whether he can see his way so to amend the Bill as to leave such power to be exercised by the senates at their discretion.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) If the hon. Member will refer to Clause 10 (3) of the Irish Universities Bill he will find that all students, extern or other, of the Royal University of Ireland are entitled, when that University is dissolved, to get credit for any progress they may have made towards a degree in that university. If he will then refer to Article XVIII.(1) (c) of the preliminary drafts of the charters he will see that the senates for a period of five years will have power to make arrangements for enabling such students to proceed to degrees in the universities by examination alone, that is, without requiring any residence at a constituent college or any recognised institution. I have undertaken to bring up on Report, if I find that it is necessary, words that will secure the rights of all existing students to have opportunities of proceeding to degrees on existing conditions.