§ 6.55 p.m.
§ Order of the Day for the Third Reading read.
THE MINISTER OF STATE, SCOTTISH OFFICE (THE EARL OF HOME)My Lords, I beg to move that this Bill be now read a third time. I will not detain the House for more than a moment. I should like to express my gratitude to your Lordships for recognising that in this Bill the Government have made a sincere effort to re-establish this old University of St. Andrews on a sound foundation, from which it can contribute to learning, undistracted by dissension. I think we may claim that your Lordships have improved the Bill, notably in Clause 5, which establishes the formal relationship between the University Court and the University College Councils, and in Clause 6, where the foundation in Common Law of the Colleges has been retained. In a sentence, these two Amendments brought the Bill closer in line with the recommendations of the Royal Commission. There is no intention, I repeat, that the Government shall seek in any way to establish control over the affairs of the University. The lives of the Commissioners and the Assessors will come to an end in due course, when the process of reorganisation is finished; and when that happens, the only Crown appointment will be that of the Principal of the University. There has been a division of opinion in the House on whether the Principal or the Rector should occupy the chair of the University Court. On every side the arguments have been laid out, and I think that will be of use in another place when they come to consider that part of the Bill.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 3a.—(The Earl of Home.)
§ LORD HADEN-GUESTMy Lords, I should like to support the noble Earl, Lord Home, on his Motion for the Third Reading of this Bill. I am pleased to have had an opportunity of participating in what I believe will be a great 1546 improvement in the work of the University of St. Andrews in the future. I know something about the University—not directly, because I was never there, but from friends who were—and I know what a great tradition it has. I believe the University has a greater life before it than it has had in the past. I have great pleasure in supporting the Motion.
§ On Question, Bill read 3a; Amendments (Privilege) made: Bill passed, and sent to the Commons.