HC Deb 02 March 1911 vol 22 cc538-9
Mr. MOORE

asked if the Monaghan County Council have provided in a scheme under the University Act that any Roman Catholic student who gets a scholarship provided out of the rates must go to the Dublin College of the National University, and to nowhere else, while any other successful student may go to any Irish university selected; if it is competent for the county council to do more than assist by scholarship any student to any university; if such a condition, driving all Roman Catholic students from county Monaghan to this particular college, is contrary to the professed undenominational character of the university; why this Ulster county council uses the ratepayers' money to deflect its Roman Catholic students to Dublin; and if similar conditions have been made by other Nationalist county councils?

Mr. BIRRELL

The only knowledge I have of the matters referred to in the hon. and learned Gentleman's question is drawn from a short newspaper reference to the scheme. I do not infer that there is any religious qualification imposed in connection with the scholarships, which are offered for free competition; but that it is stipulated that in the case of a successful Catholic competitor the scholarship should be held at Dublin College of the National University. In the case of a successful student of any other denomination, the scholarship can be held at any university or college selected by the student's parents. Without having the precise scheme before me, it would not be possible, even if it were open to me, to express any opinion on its legality. If the council have in any way transgressed their powers the ratepayers have their remedy.

Mr. MOORE

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire into this scheme, and, as head of the Local Government Board, will he instruct the auditor to see that the rate struck is legal?

Mr. LARDNER

As a member of the Mixed Committee appointed by the Monaghan County Council to draft the scheme in question, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that although the scheme has been before the public for some weeks no dissatisfaction has been expressed by any ratepayer in the county, Catholic or Protestant?

Mr. MOORE

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been brought to the difference between the Belfast University and the Dublin National University, it being necessary that the students should take compulsory Irish at Dublin?

Mr. BIRRELL

I have no desire to enter into any legal point which I have no right or authority to decide, but I am sufficiently acquainted with the University Act to know that the county councils are authorised to assist by scholarships any student of any university.

Mr. MacVEAGH

Is it not a fact that the scholarships which have been provided by the Monaghan County Council are open to students of all religious denominations without distinction, and that the County Council of Armagh county represented by the hon. and learned Member (Mr. Moore) has not voted one penny for University education of any kind?