HC Deb 10 November 1921 vol 148 cc602-3
53. Mr. W. GREENWOOD

asked the President of the Board of Education if Professor Ramsay Muir, M.A., the prospective Free Trade candidate for Rochdale, is giving lectures in politics at the University of Manchester; whether any of the cost of these lectures will be borne by the State; and, if so, how much?

Mr. YOUNG

The programme of lectures at Manchester University is a question for decision by the governing body alone. The cost of such lectures is borne by the State only in so far as block grants are made annually from public funds, on the recommendation of the University Grants Committee, to this university, as to other similar institutions in the United Kingdom.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman see that so far as he has power no lecturer shall be penalised for his political views?

Mr. LYLE-SAMUEL

Is there any truth in the statement that the holding of certain political views disqualifies any one holding a lectureship, the cost of which is borne by the State?

Mr. YOUNG

I should like to say that if there be any implication that the Treasury or the Government interfere in any respect with the discretion of the governing body of this or any other university it is wholly erroneous.

Mr. HOPKINSON

Is it not the fact that if the Government, as a Government, minded its own business, there would be no confusion between politics and economics?

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