§ 34. Sir P. MAGNUSasked whether, under the Irish Universities Act, 1908, pro vision was made fixing the status and conditions of employment, including compensation for loss of office and superannuation on retirement, of professors holding office at the time of the passing of that Act in the colleges of Cork and Galway; whether, under the Government of Ireland Bill the money now voted to those colleges by the Imperial Parliament will be handed over to the Irish Government without any legal obligation upon that Government to appropriate such money to the service of those colleges and with freedom to use such funds for entirely different purposes; and whether it will be within the power of the Irish Parliament to repeal or alter any or all of the provisions of the Irish Universities Act, 1908?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe answer to the first two paragraphs of the question is in the affirmative. As to the third paragraph, it will be in the power of the Irish Parliament to repeal and alter some, but not all, of the provisions of the Irish Universities Act, 1908.
§ 35. Sir P. MAGNUSasked the Chief Secretary whether he has further considered the position of existing professors at Cork and Galway Colleges under the Government of Ireland Bill; and whether he will propose Amendments to secure such professors from having their tenure of office and conditions of employment, including provisions as to pensions, altered to their disadvantage?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have nothing to add to my reply to the question by the hon. Member on this subject on the 6th instant.
§ Sir P. MAGNUSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that there is a strong feeling among the professors that their position is not a secure one under this Bill, and cannot he do something to alleviate that feeling?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo, Sir. Really professorial anxiety is something which is altogether beyond me.