15. Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether grants were recently made by the Government to the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland to assist in meeting the current needs of that institution; whether on the 11th of January, 1918, it was promised that the continuance of these grants would be considered in the light of circumstances prevailing at the end of the following year; and whether he is aware that in the existing circumstances a renewal of this assistance is most 2356 important to the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, especially owing to the State aid given to other licensing bodies, who are naturally, by this means, in a position to educate students at a more moderate rate than the older body unless this, also, is given State aid?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe facts are as stated by my hon. and gallant Friend, with the exception that the only body which can be regarded as in State-aided opposition to the Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland, is the governing body of University College, Dublin. Since the letter of January, 1918, was written, the circumstances have altered more particularly on account of the formation of the University Grants Committee. The question of a grant to the college has been considered by that Committee, and is at present the subject of correspondence between the Irish departments concerned.
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Royal College of Surgeons has received an answer from the University Grants Committee that they were not empowered to give a grant; therefore, does he propose to do anything?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI was not aware of that, but I will look further into the question.