HC Deb 17 February 1926 vol 191 cc1895-6

Motion made, and Question proposed, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown to make out a New Writ for the electing of a Member to serve in this present Parliament for the University of Durham, Victoria University of Manchester, University of Liverpool, University of Leeds, University of Sheffield, University of Birmingham, and University of Bristol, in the room of the Right Hon. Herbert Albert Laurens Fisher, who since his election for the said Universities bath accepted the Office of Steward or Bailiff of His Majesty's Three Chiltern Hundreds of Stoke, Desborough and Burnham, in the County of Buckingham."—[Sir Godfrey Collins.]

Mr. KIRKWOOD

I should like to ask you, Sir, if this is the time to make a protest against the universities having any right to send Members to the House of Commons, because I do not see why a few individuals in a university have any prior right over, say, Beardmore's works. Weir's works, Armstrong's works, or any other body of working men? Why should a university be a privileged body? I want your opinion on it, Sir.

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member can bring in a Bill to abolish university representation. That is the way to proceed.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

I will do that.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Is it not in order to move on this occasion that a New Writ be not issued, or to vote against the issue of a Writ?

Mr. SPEAKER

The Writ, of course, can be rejected, but it is in accordance with the present law. The proper way to proceed would be to move to alter the law.

Question put, and agreed to.