§ MR. HARWOOD (Bolton)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what arrangements will be made as to pensions for those professors of any college who may feel compelled to withdraw in consequence of the altered character of that college resulting from the Irish Universities Bill.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) Existing professors will be appointed to equivalent posts in the reconstituted colleges, and will have the same tenure of office secured to them as that under which they now hold. There can be no substantial reason why any professors should feel compelled to withdraw. If anyone should decline office he will, in accordance with precedent, have no right to compensation for the loss of his office. No such right was given when the Aberdeen colleges were united in 1858, or when the Queen's University, Ireland, was abolished in 1879.