HC Deb 09 September 1909 vol 10 cc1460-2
Mr. CHARLES CRAIG

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can state who were the persons who appeared before the Statutory Commission of Queen's University in Belfast, under the Irish Universities Act, 1908, to request the Commission to include scholastic philosophy in the arts curriculum of that university; and what other subjects did they ask to be included in the curriculum?

Mr. BIRRELL

I understand that three members of the Senate of the Queen's University, Mr. John Burke, Mr. Patrick Dempsey, and Mr. Charles L. McLorrinan, came to lay their views upon the organisation of the University before the Belfast University Commission. They asked that provision should be made for philosophical teaching such as Roman Catholics could attend without danger to their faith. They were informed that the Commission had already decided to institute a lectureship in scholastic philosophy. The only other subject they asked to be included in the curriculum was the Irish language. The Commissioners had already decided to institute a lectureship in Irish.

Captain CRAIG

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that no other denomination except the Roman Catholics have applied to the members of the Commission for special facilities?

Mr. BIRRELL

I do not know if it is a fact, but I have no doubt that it is so. It shows that they are satisfied with the system of teaching already there.

Mr. CHARLES CRAIG

asked whether "the Statutory Commission of Queen's University, Belfast, advertised for a lecturer in logic and scholastic philosophy, and made the appointment for the subject of scholastic philosophy only; and why was a lecturer in logic not appointed?

Mr. BIRRELL

It was at first thought that the lecturer in scholastic philosophy might relieve the professor of logic and metaphysics of part of his very heavy work by undertaking the subject of logic. But the professor of logic and metaphysics expressed a desire to retain the teaching of logic in his own hands.

Mr. WILLIAM MOORE

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us, as the result of his communications, if this lecturer is appointed on making a declaration that he would not teach any matter which was a matter of controversy?

Mr. SPEAKER

That does not arise out of the question.

Mr. GRETTON

Is logic much studied in Ireland?

Mr. BIRRELL

I trust so.

Mr. CHARLES CRAIG

asked whether the appointment of lecturer in scholastic philosophy by the Belfast Statutory Commission was made subject to the approval by the Universities Committee of the Privy Council by the Statute creating the lectureship in scholastic philosophy?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Statutes did not make this appointment subject to such approval, but the lecturer in scholastic philosophy was informed, like every other lecturer and professor appointed by the Commission, that his appointment was only provisional and might be annulled by a disallowance of the Statutes.

Mr. CHARLES CRAIG

Is it a fact that an appeal has been lodged against the establishment of this lectureship?

Mr. BIRRELL

Yes.

Mr. C. CRAIG

When is that appeal going to be heard?

Mr. BIRRELL

I saw from an Irish newspaper that the date fixed is the 24th of this month.

Mr. MOORE

Will the Government, by their Law Officers or otherwise, support the appointment on the hearing of the appeal?

Mr. BIRRELL

I have no knowledge of that.

Mr. SPEAKER

This is a long way from the question.

Mr. C. CRAIG

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Belfast Statutory Commission, before granting the lectureship in scholastic philosophy, exercised the power to take evidence given by the Irish Universities Act; whether he will say on what evidence as to the educational wants of the district around Belfast the decision to establish such lectureship was founded; and whether the appointment of the lecturer in scholastic philosophy was unanimous on the part of the Statutory Commission?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Commission did not think it necessary to take evidence as to the organisation of the teaching staff of the University. The majority of the Commissioners are themselves personally acquainted with the educational needs of the district around Belfast which justify the establishment of the lectureship in question. One of the Commissioners (Mr. R. J. Martin) dissented from the appointment of the lecturer.