§ *LORD BALFOUR OF BURLEIGH rose to move that an humble Address be presented to His Majesty praying him to withhold his assent from the words "or diminishing" in. Section VIII. (4) (c) of Ordinance No. 5 (Regulations for Degrees in Medicine), made by the University Court of St. Andrews under the Universities (Scotland) Act, 1889, Section 21.
§ The Lord said: My Lords, the Motion that stands in my name on the Paper is rather in the nature of using a steam hammer to crack a nut, but it is necessary to make a formal address to the Crown in order to get a small amendment made in a matter of this kind. The particular section gives the right to the University Court of St. Andrews to make certain regulations with regard to the 118 conditions under which medical degrees may be taken. It is obviously not right, I think, that any one University Court should have the right of diminishing the amount of education or the length of time to be given before a medical degree can be taken. How the words got into the ordinance I am unable to say, but, acting as Chancellor of the University concerned, I suggest that in the interest of the University it would be right to present this Address, and so get the amendment made. I am sure it will be right, and I am sorry there is no other way of doing it.
§ Moved, That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty praying him to withhold his assent from the words "or diminishing" in Section VIII. (4) (c) of Ordinance No. 5 (Regulations for Degrees in Medicine), made by the University Court of St. Andrews under the Universities (Scotland) Act, 1889, Section 21.—(Lord Balfour of Burleigh.)
§ On Question Motion agreed to, and ordered accordingly: The said Address to be presented to His Majesty by the Lords with White Staves.