§ Viscount WOLMERasked the Prime Minister whether, under the Government of Ireland Bill, it will be possible for the Irish Parliament to alter the Irish Universities Act in such a way as to deprive professors of the Queen's University, Belfast, of their posts or detrimentally to affect their salaries or other conditions of employment; and whether the Government will consent so to amend the Bill as to give to the teachers in Irish universities the same securities as are accorded to Civil servants?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt will be possible for the Irish Parliament to amend the Irish Universities Act, but there is no reason to anticipate that in the event of such legislation the professors at Belfast or elsewhere will be detrimentally affected. The power of appointing or dismissing these professors is not transferred by the Government of Ireland Bill to the Irish Government and their position is therefore not analogous to that of Civil servants who are transferred, and it is not proposed to extend to them the provisions relating to Civil servants.
Major WHITEDoes the right hon. Gentleman not consider the fact that the Irish Universities Act would not have passed through another place if it was known there were no safeguards in such a case as this?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a hypothetical question.