asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that the University of Oxford, by virtue of a number of ancient statutes, claim to exercise power and authority over a limited class not confined to the students of the university nor within the local limits of the university boundary, ousting the power and authority of Government Departments and local authorities and the jurisdiction of His Majesty's Courts, civil and criminal, including the Supreme Court of Judicature; and whether he is prepared to advise the appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire into the above powers and jurisdiction claimed by the university and to report as to the past, present, and future exercise thereof?

The University of Oxford exercises certain civil jurisdiction, subject to Rules approved by the Rule Committee of the Supreme Court and to a right of appeal to the High Court. The Vice-Chancellor also exercises jurisdiction as a Justice of the Peace for the Counties of Oxford and Berks. I have consulted with my right hon. Friend the Lord Chancellor, and we see no reason for adopting the course suggested in the last part of the question.

Is it not the fact that the University of Oxford has a criminal jurisdiction over and above the powers possessed by the Vice-Chancellor as a magistrate for Oxford and Berkshire?

Has not this power of the University to deal with disorderly women been proved to be held without any scandal or trouble, and to be a thoroughly advantageous matter for the University and city during the last 30 or 40 years?

May I have a reply to my question? [HON. MEMBERS: "No!"]

Both the supplementary questions are in the nature of a demonstration.