LORD BALFOUR, in rising to ask the Secretary for Scotland, Whether it was the intention of Her Majesty's Government to propose any legislation with regard to the Universities of Scotland during the present Session of Parliament? said, he was prepared to admit that the present was not the most favourable time for obtaining the powers which they sought, having regard to the probabilities of legislation in "another place." But the question had now been pending for a considerable time, and he believed that a Bill would have been passed last year if it had not been for the opposition on one or two points. The measure which was brought forward last Session was an improvement upon its predecessor. It was not for the interests of the Universities that they should be kept in a state of uncertainty as to whether there should be legislation or not; and he hoped the Secretary for Scotland would 1146 be able to inform the country whether he intended to make an effort to pass a Bill during the current Session? It would be satisfactory to those whom it concerned to know that the Government had not lost sight of the matter. A Commission was now sitting on the subject of Educational Endowments, and they believed it would be for the public advantage that some questions in regard to bursaries should be dealt with at the same time. The powers of the Commission would expire towards the close of next year, and unless a University Commission were appointed during this Session or early next year the public interest would suffer. The present Commissioners hoped to obtain some advice and assistance from the University Commission; but they would not be able to wait much longer. That was his main reason for putting the Question to the noble Earl.
THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (The Earl of DALHOUSIE)It is, of course, impossible to speak with anything like certainty as to what the Government may or may not be able to do during the present Session. It certainly is the intention of the Government, if possible, to introduce a measure dealing with the Universities of Scotland during the present Session of Parliament; but I am not at this moment in a position to say at how early a date we may be able to bring it in. I can say this much—that the terms of the measure have been for some time past under consideration, and that they have been, and are still being, considered with reference to many important suggestions that have been made from various quarters since this question was last before your Lordships' House, together with the recommendation of the noble Lord (Lord Balfour of Burleigh). The Government will bear that in mind, and endeavour to bring in a measure as soon as possible.