§ Sir J. Graham Kerrasked the Lord President of the Council what steps have been taken to define the powers and duties of the Scottish Universities Committee of the Privy Council set up by the Universities (Scotland) Act, 1889; what are these powers and duties; how often the said Committee meets: and whether it constitutes the official means of access of the Scottish universities to His Majesty's Government?
§ Mr. AttleeThe powers and duties of the Scottish Universities Committee of the Privy Council are defined by the Universities (Scotland) Act, 1889, and the Educational Endowments (Scotland) Acts, 1928 to 1935. Under the Act of 1889, the Committee may increase the representation of affiliated Colleges on the University Courts; their approval is required in the case of Ordinances founding new Chairs; they may make or amend certain regulations, decide appeals relating to the duties of professors and settle what particulars are to be included in the annual reports of the University Courts. They are also required to report upon ordinances referred to the Committee by His Majesty in Council under Section 21 of the Act.
Under the Educational Endowments (Scotland) Acts, 1928 to 1935, the Committee, in certain circumstances, are required to approve Schemes affecting specified endowments and property and to exercise in relation thereto the functions assigned in other cases to the Secretary of State under the Acts.
748WThe Committee usually disposes of business by the circulation of papers and rarely meets. The answer to the last part of the Question is in the negative.