§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 3a.—(The Earl of Donoughmore.)
THE LORD BISHOP OF NORWICHMy Lords, certain Amendments to this Bill stand in my name and I think that those Amendments would be an improvement to the Bill, but yesterday I had the great privilege of a conversation with the noble Viscount on the Woolsack, who occupies a very special position in these academic matters. He is not only Chancellor of the University of Oxford but is Visitor of St. Catharine's College. With the leave of the House I think it would be wise not to move these Amendments, because it appears that the small improvement which they would make in the Bill might lead to a larger misfortune in preventing the Bill becoming law at all. I should be extremely sorry to adopt any course that any one could characterise as unreasonable or lacking in public spirit, and therefore I do not propose to move these Amendments. I can assure your Lordships again that I have the interests of this great College very much at heart and that when this canonry is conferred upon the Arch- 409 deacon of Norfolk I shall extend to him as a trusted colleague a most hearty welcome.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (VISOUNT CAVE)My Lords, I am very grateful to the right rev. Prelate for the statement he has just made. My interest in the matter, as he has said, is mainly as Visitor of St. Catharine's College, and as Visitor I have formed the opinion that the Bill was for the benefit of the College as well as, I believe, for the benefit of the diocese of Norwich. The right rev. Prelate proposed to move certain Amendments, but there was the difficulty that the Bill as it stands is the result of an arrangement made between the College and the Dean and Chapter of Norwich and approved by myself. The view the College took was that they could not depart from that arrangement and that if the Amendments were pressed and inserted in the Bill they could not go on with the Bill. Therefore I think it would be to the advantage of everyone that the Amendments should not be moved. I am very grateful to the right rev. Prelate for the consideration shown to the College, and I should like to express the hope that the long connection between the College and the diocese of Norwich will continue.
§ THE EARL OF BALFOURMy Lords, perhaps as Chancellor of the University of Cambridge I may be allowed to associate myself with the sentiments just expressed by my noble friend on the Woolsack.
§ On Question, Bill read 3a, and passed, and sent to the Commons.