HL Deb 13 February 1871 vol 204 cc158-9
THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

said, that, in accordance with the Notice he had given, he rose to move the reappointment of the Select Committee, which had sat last Session, on the subject of University Tests, The taking of the evidence did not proceed so rapidly towards the end of last Session as he had hoped it would have done; but from the number of witnesses who remained to be examined, he had very little doubt that the Committee would be able to close the evidence before Easter. If this were so, there was no reason why the deliberations of the Committee might not be embodied in a Report in time to assist their Lordships in considering the details of the University Tests Bill—a measure which, he believed, had already been introduced into the other House of Parliament. He had received no notice of any intention to oppose the adoption of this Motion; and if he were right "in supposing that there would be no opposition, he thought it unnecessary now to make any further observations. He would therefore at once move for the appointment of the Committee.

Moved, "That a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the best mode of providing proper safeguards for the maintenance of religious instruction and worship and for the religious character of the education given in the said Universities and the Colleges and Halls thereof in any measure for enabling persons not now eligible to hold offices therein."—(The Marquess of Salisbury.)

EARL GRANVILLE

said, that while guarding himself against the supposition that he had at all changed his opinion as to the advantage of the appointment of the Committee, or as to its practical results, he did not think it would be respectful to the House, after its decided manifestation of opinion last Session, to oppose the Motion. He was bound also to add that the early day chosen by the noble Marquess for moving the appointment of the Committee and his assurance that its deliberations would be brought to an end in ample time to enable the House to consider the Bill introduced in "another place" were satisfactory.

Motion agreed to.

And, on Tuesday, February 14, the Lords following were named of the Committee:—

Abp. York E. Beauchamp
Ld. President E. Kimberley
D. Somerset Bp. Gloucester and Bristol
D. Marlborough
M. Salisbury L. Colchester
E. Cowper L. Rosebery
E. Stanhope L. Stanley of Alderley
E. Carnarvon L. Lyveden
E. Powis L. Houghton
E. Harrowby L. Hartismere
E. Morley